Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Reid Sherman presents his first APEC talk on independent replication experiments involving the Variable Electromagnetic Drive, or VEM Drive — an experimental propulsion concept developed by David Pares and Quantum Electro Dynamics R&D.
Sherman introduces himself as a NASA Nebraska student fellow working out of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where his past year of research has focused on testing the VEM Drive concept. His goal was not to prove the entire theory in one step, but to ask a more focused experimental question: can the reported VEM Drive effect be reproduced independently?
In this presentation, Sherman explains the basic idea behind the VEM Drive as he understands it: a system inspired by electromagnetic conditions that may occur during high-energy thunderstorms, using fractal field structures intended to reproduce crossed-field effects and generate a compression field. He then reviews a QED Model 19 demonstration video from December 15, 2023, in which the team reported a 1,500-watt, 30-second test and a pulling force of more than 15 newtons.
Sherman then presents his own replication work. After roughly a year of testing, he reports producing repeatable directional movement with his own VEM Drive test setup, including a milestone of 10 successful tests in a row on January 11. He also discusses the practical challenges of early experimental work, including a weak nylon-string mount, alignment issues, sideways dial movement, Faraday-cage testing, and camera interference during RF operation.
Topics discussed include:
• Independent VEM Drive replication testing
• Propellantless propulsion concepts
• Thunderstorm-inspired electromagnetic field structures
• Fractal arrays used in VEM Drive experiments
• QED Model 19 demonstration footage
• Reported 1,500-watt VEM Drive test results
• Sherman’s 10 successful replication tests
• Directional movement and focal-point alignment
• Faraday cage testing and electromagnetic interference
• Future work with stronger PCB fractal arrays
• Larger and more stable test rigs
• Multipoint interferometer measurements
Sherman emphasizes that repeatability is essential for any experimental propulsion claim. While the VEM Drive remains outside mainstream propulsion theory and requires further measurement, Sherman presents his work as a step toward external verification and improved experimental testing.
Learn more about Quantum Electro Dynamics R&D:
qed-ne.com
APEC — Alternative Propulsion Engineering Conference:
altpropulsion.com
Reid Sherman presents his first APEC talk on independent replication experiments involving the Variable Electromagnetic Drive, or VEM Drive — an experimental propulsion concept developed by David Pares and Quantum Electro Dynamics R&D.
Sherman introduces himself as a NASA Nebraska student fellow working out of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where his past year of research has focused on testing the VEM Drive concept. His goal was not to prove the entire theory in one step, but to ask a more focused experimental question: can the reported VEM Drive effect be reproduced independently?
In this presentation, Sherman explains the basic idea behind the VEM Drive as he understands it: a system inspired by electromagnetic conditions that may occur during high-energy thunderstorms, using fractal field structures intended to reproduce crossed-field effects and generate a compression field. He then reviews a QED Model 19 demonstration video from December 15, 2023, in which the team reported a 1,500-watt, 30-second test and a pulling force of more than 15 newtons.
Sherman then presents his own replication work. After roughly a year of testing, he reports producing repeatable directional movement with his own VEM Drive test setup, including a milestone of 10 successful tests in a row on January 11. He also discusses the practical challenges of early experimental work, including a weak nylon-string mount, alignment issues, sideways dial movement, Faraday-cage testing, and camera interference during RF operation.
Topics discussed include:
• Independent VEM Drive replication testing
• Propellantless propulsion concepts
• Thunderstorm-inspired electromagnetic field structures
• Fractal arrays used in VEM Drive experiments
• QED Model 19 demonstration footage
• Reported 1,500-watt VEM Drive test results
• Sherman’s 10 successful replication tests
• Directional movement and focal-point alignment
• Faraday cage testing and electromagnetic interference
• Future work with stronger PCB fractal arrays
• Larger and more stable test rigs
• Multipoint interferometer measurements
Sherman emphasizes that repeatability is essential for any experimental propulsion claim. While the VEM Drive remains outside mainstream propulsion theory and requires further measurement, Sherman presents his work as a step toward external verification and improved experimental testing.
Learn more about Quantum Electro Dynamics R&D:
qed-ne.com
APEC — Alternative Propulsion Engineering Conference:
altpropulsion.com
