[earthscienceman]

Wait. So. I do research in the polar regions and am interested in potential novel power sources for extremely remote environments. Is there any future where this kind of engine could be used for power generation? Say by storage in some capacity? Flywheel. Batteries. Etc. It seems to me it should be possible to detonate\fire when you need to top off your storage but that the design need not be limited to propulsion. Am I crazy? This is so far from my field of work, although I was originally a physicist.

Energy density, ease of transport, robustness, and all sorts of other considerations dominate in an environment that is very hostile. Aside from nuclear power (which we will never get) the future is pretty bleak for us still when compared to the diverse technology available in more "normalcy climates.