Posted 07.17.2012 at 5:59 pm
8 Comments
Acoustic Flame Suppression
DARPA
Applying physics to put out a fire, as opposed to chemistry, is an idea DARPA has been eyeing for a while, and it might lead to military devices that can better snuff out fires in enclosed places. Now they have demonstrated a new device in action.
In the video, two speakers are placed on either side of a fuel source. The sound increases air velocity, which disrupts the flame. It also causes higher fuel vaporization, which increases the flame's area while dropping its temperature. That thinning causes a problem in the combustion process.
It looks like an interesting project, but even DARPA admits they aren't sure how they'll use it. To make it worthwhile, it would have to operate on a much larger scale. They're hoping instead that the project will inspire other ideas in the field, so soak in the video in case it's the last you see of the technique.
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This can maybe be used by firemen. I just hope that the soundblast doesn't make anyone deaf.
Vacuum can put out a fire, how to impliment? you bright
minds @ Darpa go figure....
This is such a joke to me.
The United States of America is in how much debt now? over 14 trillion? Or is it 15? Yet, DARPA still gets 3.2 billion dollars annual budget for their "high tech science fair" projects.
What ever happened to that nifty hyper speed transport vehicle they were working on?
www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-04/darpa-report-last-years-hypersonic-glider-test-failed-when-vehicle-sped-right-out-its-own-skin
Oh yeah, now I remember. lol.
I guess they could always invent the Replicator from Star Trek and replicate the 3.2 billion dollars that they're pissing away annually?
a magical way to put out fires and the only thing we come up with is military device? "even DARPA admits they aren't sure how they'll use it"
Ariasbec, agreed, America is screwed. Too much cash being thrown about in the most uninteligent of ways. Let us not forget what china said at the end of the cold war.
"We shall defeat America without firing a single bullet."
And they have.
This tech seems interesting as a gateway-ish step in a new direction of applied physics.
America is not screwed. The beauty of the dream of America is that it is a perpetual 'work-in-progress'. We will only fail if we begin to believe we have an inherent superiority. The drive and hunger created by social and economic verticle movement will continue to fuel our greatness. We are great because we are not great enough.
Love, Peace & Soul
Please don't be so critical of Darpa. Research leads to whole new industries that drive our economy. I wish NASA had a bigger part of the budget.
If America were to cancel Darpa, then we would be screwed... What darpa has done for the US and the world is so humongous.... I mean... start with the Internet, go from there.