Maximising acceleration for constant-acceleration journeys

[SunJumper]

What methods could be used to maximise the acceleration on a constant acceleration journey, if the only limiting factor is the people inside. And what would be the theoretical maximum acceleration. For example, suspending the passengers in jelly may allow one to double the acceleration.

This is in the context of interplanetary travel, not interstellar travel.

(Please, avoid talking about mind uploading. The passengers stay as fleshy organic beings)

Edited May 15, 2013 by SunJumper

[Rascal Nag]

A gravitoelectromagnetic toroidal launcher is a super-theoretical propulsion method that would allow unbelievable acceleration without passengers feeling any g-forces. I have no idea how it works, but people have thought of it.

[SunJumper]

It sounds like you would need the output of the sun to get a millionth of a gee, though.

[Mekan1k]

Well.... Gravitoelectromagnetic toriods are the concept behind Alcurrumbie drives, and a group at nasa, specifically Harold White and his group, are working on a method of using high-density magnetic fields to 'Pinch' space-time to create a spacial-temporal bubble.

The idea is that matter cannot exceed the speed of light, right? Well, the bubble described would surround and act as a forcefield around the generator, removing the matter from the universe (effectively), allowing the mass-less bubble to accelerate at insane speeds, and possibly exceed the lightspeed barrier. Your ship could pass through a sun and never feel it. You could accelerate at 100g and not notice a change from freefall.

Downside- Well, if the bubble hits anything, it carries it along at speed, and there seems to be no limit on how much energy the material that is hit by the bubble can absorb, so when you throttle down (turn off the bubble), any matter that hit the bubble is blasted into, well, atoms moving at near-lightspeed away from your ship. (solar systems would vanish- oops) Also it requires alot of energy, but that amount of energy is being lowered ever day.