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ka-ching! Star Wars missile defense pays off
2010-Feb-18, Thursday 09:54 amBack 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!
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!