What this work contributes
Calculates fluctuation-mediated propulsion forces for small anisotropic objects out of thermal equilibrium, including objects close to a surface. It identifies a specific research avenue where geometry and thermal conditions can affect lateral forces.
Where the evidence stops
No macroscopic vehicle experiment is reported. Radiation, thermal energy, and the nearby surface must be included in energy and momentum accounting.
Original source
Boris Müller, Matthias Krüger. Anisotropic particles near surfaces: Propulsion force and friction. Physical Review A 93, 032511 (2016).
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.93.032511
How we use it
This record belongs to Driven & thermal fields. Its evidence label describes the cited work, not the maturity of a Metric Flight device. Follow the original methods, corrections and conditions before transferring a result to a different geometry or scale.
Editorial note reviewed 19 October 2026. AI assisted research discovery and synthesis. Citation metadata and claims were checked against primary publication or institutional records; full-text access varies. Read the source for the complete method.