(Ecns.cn) -- A man from Yinchuan, the capital of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has dedicated the past 14 years to building a machine that only exists in science-fiction novels and films.
Fang Huining, a former millionaire, sold his property and BMW to build a perpetual-motion device, a hypothetical machine that operates or produces useful work indefinitely.
Fang used to be a welder who had an interest in mechanics, which has become even stronger after he became a successful local businessman in tourism. His invention of a twin bike won a bronze medal at a provincial-level invention convention in 1995, boosting Fang's confidence in inventing machinery.
Fang became obsessed with the idea of building a perpetual-motion device in 1997. Since the machine would be an obvious violation of either the first law of thermodynamics or the second law of thermodynamics, most people do not believe such a device can be built.
But Fang thinks otherwise.
"My invention, the 'motion car,' which is in fact a perpetual-motion machine, can certainly change Newton's Three Laws of Motion," Fan told the Yinchuan Evening News.
The "motion car" cost Fang millions of yuan, but Fang said it is totally worth it. Fang Huining said the machine will be a legacy and present for his son, who has always been supportive of him.
Despite Fang's passion, experts say the "motion car" is not a real perpetual-motion device. Mr. Zhao, deputy director of the Patent Center of Ningxia Technology Department, said the invention is more like a leveraged vehicle that is not able to overcome gravity.
