The Portal Denial System is not like those other laser-guard systems you've seen in the movies. The movie systems, which are typically guarding something very valuable, make beautiful laser light shows like you might have seen in a 1980's nightclub.
Ionatron's Portal Denial System, on the other hand, is what an intelligent (and angry) insect would make if insects could design a human-zapper.
The device beams an ultraviolet laser across the doorway; this causes a localized atmospheric bloom - the air ionizes into a plasma. Since this laser-induced plasma channel (LIPC) is electrically conductive, a powerful electric current can be sent across the doorway via the channel.
(Portal Denial System Laser-Induced Plasma Channel Electrolaser)
If you're wondering how much juice can be sent across the doorway, keep in mind that electrolasers can also be used to study lightning, since both use plasma channels as a conduit for electricity.
Background Draw-a-Secret (BDAS) Makes Graphical Passwords
Interesting security technique that takes advantage of the greater ease with which we all recall pictures, as opposed to the kind of alphanumeric strings IT techs want us to use for passwords.
ID-U Biometrics Eye Tracking Signature
Interesting new method of secure identification gathers a unique response to stimulus each time; old data cannot be copied and presented to the system.
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Gaia - Why Stop With Just The Earth?
'But the stars are only atoms in larger space, and in that larger space the star-atoms could combine to form living matter, thinking matter, couldn't they?'
Microsoft VASA-1 Creates Personal Video From A Photo
'...to build up a video picture would require, say, ten million decisions every second. Mike, you're so fast I can't even think about it. But you aren't that fast.'