Real life catches up with Star Trek "Phazer Weapon

Discussion in 'General Science & Technology' started by Time/02112, Sep 20, 2000.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Time/02112 Senior Member Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    298
    Real life catches up with Star Trek "Phazer Weapon
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    hsvt.org

    Real life catches up with Star Trek "Phazer Weapon"
    HSV Technologies Inc., of San Diego, California is developing a non-lethal weapon that uses ultraviolet laser beams to harmlessly immobilize people and animals at a distance. The Phaser-like device uses two beams of UV radiation to ionize paths in the air along which electrical current is conducted to and from the target. In effect, the beams create wires through the atmosphere wherever they are pointed.

    The current within these beams is a close replication of the neuro-electric impulses that control skeletal muscles. It is imperceptible to the target person because it differs from his own neural impulses only in that its repetition rate is sufficiently rapid to tetanize muscle tissue. (Tetanization is the stimulation of muscle fibers at a frequency which merges their individual contractions into a single sustained contraction.)

    No retinal damage can occur because the cornea absorbs all ultraviolet radiation at the wavelengths used. Moreover, the beams are too weak to produce photokeratitis (corneal inflammation) unless they are directed at the eyes for several minutes. In addition, the current they transmit is insufficient to affect the smooth muscles such as the heart and diaphragm.
    See Ocular Safety of the Tetanizing Beam Weapon

    Our electrical beam weapon has a far longer potential range than its nearest competitor, the wire-based Taser ® .

    Successful proof-of-principle tests have been performed at the University of California at San Diego, and further refinements using novel laser designs are forthcoming.

    Although the smallest laser now available for this application is the size of a carry-on suitcase, a hand-held version should become feasible with only modest advances in laser technology.

    Also under development is an engine-disabling variation for use against the electronic ignitions of automobiles. The engine-disabling version should be able to operate with off-the-shelf lasers because it would be carried aboard police patrol cars.

    See US Patent #5675103
     
  2. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  3. ltcmmdr Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    129
    When do we expect to see them?

    ------------------
    Never believe anything until it has officially denied.
     
  4. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page