 |
Pulsed Energy Projectile EMPs Your Nervous System
The Pulsed Energy Projectile (PEP) is a weapon currently under development by the US Military. PEP fires a short, intense pulse of laser energy towards a selected target. The invisible induced plasma pulse creates a "flash-bang" in the vicinity of the target. The weapon can be calibrated to merely warn groups or individuals, or to have more devastating effects.
(From Vehicle-mounted PEP)
Early tests indicated that PEPs caused temporary paralysis thought to be related to ultrasonic shockwaves. It became apparent that the electromagnetic pulse caused by the expanding plasma was triggering nerve cells.
Fine-tuning the pulse demonstrated that it was possible to trigger particular receptors, giving the sensations of burning, physical damage, pressure, or cold.
In his 1951 novel The Stars, Like Dust, Isaac Asimov describes a neuronic whip, a portable anti-personnel weapon:
...the very pale, almost invisible shimmer of the ionized air in the path of the whip's energy beam made its appearance. It swept wide through the air, and the path of the beam intersected Biron's foot. It was as though he had stepped into a bath of boiling lead. Or as if a granite block had toppled upon it. Or as if it had been crunched off by a shark. Actually, nothing had happened to it physically. It was only that the nerve endings that governed the sensation of pain had been universally and maximally stimulated.
(Read more about Isaac Asimov's neuronic whip)
Read more about PEP, DefenseTech, or the heavily censored Sensory consequences of electromagnetic pulse emitted by laser induced plasmas study (pdf). Thanks to Winchell Chung for the tip and the quote.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 2/13/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 10 )
Related News Stories - (" Weapon ")
Thermal Laser Weapon Evolves From PHaSR
It's a long road to the phaser, but 'set it on stun' is getting closer to reality.
Hovering Crowd Control Beam
Who would think of using non-lethal beams from the air to enforce civilized behavior?
Brain Interface Weapons War Crime Immunity
DARPA has developed brain-interface devices that use special algorithms and neural signals to determine that a soldier has made a choice BEFORE he is consciously aware of it. Can a person commit a war crime without being aware of making a decision?
Multimode Directed Energy Armament System
I suppose calling this a 'ray gun' might be going too far, since I doubt it's portable. With proper miniaturization, maybe.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
At least they were not the 'rude mechanicals'.
Paralysis Ray Uses Photocontrolled Molecular Switch
Gerry was dubious. She had seen abortive attempts at paralysis rays before.
Brine Wells May Swallow Towns
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the Quadraturin essence in 1 cup of water.
Will In-Vitro Meat Change Our Lives?
ChickieNobs, anyone?
Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
Let your fingers - uh - your robot do the walking. And hopping.
OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Foils Carjacker
Better than a car chase.
Robot Martial Arts Videos
Robo-Shiko!
Interactive TV Patent From Sony
Can you dance faster than the White Clown?
Smart Contact Lens With Power Harvesting Circuits
Smart contacts with VR connections.
'Significant Amount' Of Lunar Water Found
Droogs! There's water ice on the moon!
FOXP2 Tweak Yields Planet Of The Apes?
Get your filthy words off me, you damn dirty ape!
Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Patsy Cline classic played by robot.
XT-1 Micro Mouse With Blazing Speed
These are fully autonomouse robots.
Escape Pods, Refuge Of ISS Astronauts From Space Junk
Who first thought about escape pods?
Steerable Bowling Ball Is A Cheesy Spherical Robot
Once the province of geeks, now in bowling alleys.
Bio-Mechanics And Micro-Robotic Flight
Micro air vehicles and insect flight.
