• Entertainment & Gaming

    More Science of Star Trek: Phaser Edition

    By Adam Weiner Posted on 12.30.2008 11 Comments

    As a followup to last week’s discussion of the new Star Trek movie trailer, let’s spend a few more minutes on this most appealing of themes. Now remember we have nothing but affection for the phenomenon of Star Trek, and the creators of the various series, movies etc. sometimes really give it a shot with trying to connect the technology to ideas in the forefront of modern physics. Where would we be without anti-matter reactors, the warp drive, and inertial dampers, to name a few?

    12.28.2008 at 11:23am - Comment by kurmugn

    The reason the "stun" feature of the phaser works is that the emissions from the phaser are modulated. As the phaser energy is absorbed in the body, each nervous system synapse demodulates the modulated phaser energy, resulting in the loss of coordinated body control, including consciousness. Modulated microwaves have been experimentally used to drop flying birds out of the flight paths of airplanes. A version of this technology is on the drawing boards at DARPA for troop or crowd control. In the un-modulated version, directing the beams at people results in a feeling of intense pain.

  • Science

    The Hyper-Sub

    By Posted on 7.16.2008 7 Comments

    Nautical engineers have long dreamed of a craft that could race across wave tops like a speedboat and seconds later dive beneath them like a submarine. But crossing the two breeds presents a catch-22: Subs need heft to sink, but speedboats need to be lightweight to go fast. With an investment of nearly $2 million and years of research, former auto-shop owner Reynolds Marion of Lake City, Florida, has finally hit on a solution, a machine he’s dubbed the Hyper-Submersible Powerboat. When complete, it will reach speeds of up to 45 mph and dive down to 1,200 feet.

    7.17.2008 at 01:41pm - Comment by kurmugn

    There already exists surface craft that can "fly" underwater using wings and rudders, without the problem of ballast considerations.

  • Science

    Battling Pigeons With Technology

    By Posted on 6.26.2008 3 Comments

    The Brits are murdering pigeons. Unable to prevent the pests from pooping on the stuffy spectators and sweater-vested tennis players at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (aka Wimbledon), officials have hired marksmen and instructed them to shoot to kill. Previous attempts to control the pigeons by releasing hawks were unsuccessful. PETA argues that shooting the birds is "cruel and illegal."

    6.30.2008 at 10:43am - Comment by kurmugn

    Birds will habituate to acoustic and visual stimuli, and in no time will have returned to their favorite haunts. And birds can not hear ultra-sonic sounds any better than we can, so that technique won't work. But, non-scientific people are always hoping for solutions based on rumor and folklore.

  • Science

    Battling Pigeons With Technology

    By Posted on 6.26.2008 3 Comments

    The Brits are murdering pigeons. Unable to prevent the pests from pooping on the stuffy spectators and sweater-vested tennis players at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (aka Wimbledon), officials have hired marksmen and instructed them to shoot to kill. Previous attempts to control the pigeons by releasing hawks were unsuccessful. PETA argues that shooting the birds is "cruel and illegal."

    6.30.2008 at 10:42am - Comment by kurmugn

    Birds will habituate to acoustic and visual stimuli, and in no time will have returned to their favorite haunts. And birds can not hear ultra-sonic sounds any better than we can, so that technique won't work. But, non-scientific people are always hoping for solutions based on rumor and folklore.



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