mellowtigger: (MrFusion)
[personal profile] mellowtigger
Back in the 1980s, astrophysicist Lowell Wood helped in designing American laser anti-missile systems ("Star Wars strategic defense initiative").  That was a trillion dollars well spent, eh?  Well, maybe that project didn't work out as intended, but surely we can be pleased that it successfully spawned other secondary discoveries.

Lowell Wood joined one such spin-off, a company named Intellectual Ventures.  Apparently, they demonstrated at the recent TED conference a prototype for a laser anti-mosquito system.  They're intending for it to find use in areas of the world where mosquitoes carry diseases to humans.

I enthusiastically note that Minnesota USA ("Land of 10,000 Lakes") has mosquitoes ("Land of 10,000,000,000,000 Mosquitoes").


Their initial prototype was too expensive, so they redesigned with readily available parts.  They think that they can produce the things for only US$50 each.

It doesn't mention in the linked article, but I think the camera identifies a mosquito (versus other possibilities) by the oscillation rate (light-dark-light-dark-light-dark) of light reflected from the fluttering wings.  I must have read that detail in an article some time back, since I can't confirm that technology right now.

No Star Wars missile defense... but we do have "pew pew lazers!" to zap mosquitoes.  I'm a happy taxpayer.  Go Team America!

Date: 2010-Feb-18, Thursday 05:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pi3832.livejournal.com
I would so buy one of those.

Have I mentioned I live in Louisiana (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=reserve,+LA&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Reserve,+St.+John+the+Baptist,+Louisiana&ll=30.112464,-90.519791&spn=0.257191,0.883026&t=h&z=11) these days?

Date: 2010-Feb-18, Thursday 07:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fingertrouble.livejournal.com
that is brilliant...I love this.

Funny that people (jokingly but sadly not all) are going 'poor mosquito' - having visited Durban in a low season and spent the nights getting up and squishing mosquitoes that were making my night hell, I say fry the buggers.

Hope it can take out midges too - the UK variant.

Date: 2010-Feb-19, Friday 12:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fingertrouble.livejournal.com
moths and flies would be also on that list...quite happy to ignore insecst even ones I'm phobic about, but those buzz around my head and annoy me.

Date: 2010-Feb-19, Friday 02:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meggybee.livejournal.com
Whoa! Slow mosquito death was odd to watch. I hope the lasers really do go 'pewpew', that would add to the awesomeness.

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