Quote :

"Scientists in the U.S. are developing a laser gun that could kill millions of mosquitoes in minutes. The laser, which has been dubbed a "weapon of mosquito destruction" fires at mosquitoes once it detects the audio frequency created by the beating of its wings. The laser beam then destroys the mosquito, burning it on the spot. Developed by some of the astrophysicists involved in what was known as the "Star Wars" anti-missile programs during the Cold War, the project is meant to prevent the spread of malaria. Lead scientist on the project, Dr. Jordin Kare, told CNN that the laser would be able to sweep an area and "toast millions of mosquitoes in a few minutes." [...] Responding to questions about any potential harm the laser could pose to the eco-system, Kare said: "There is no such thing as a good mosquito, there's nothing that feeds exclusively on them. No one would miss mosquitoes," he said. "In any case," he added. "The laser is able to distinguish between mosquitoes that go after people and those that aren't dangerous." He added that other insects would not be affected by the laser's beam."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/16/mosquito.laser.weapon/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

i want a mosquito laser gun

3/17/2009 1:59:54 AM

Quote :

""The laser is able to distinguish between mosquitoes that go after people and those that aren't dangerous.""

He's a liar, but good, they don't contribute shit

3/17/2009 2:01:45 AM

I'm sure each species has its own frequency, and the target for this weapon is a species that feeds on humans. It probably won't kill those awkward quarter sized legs with wings things that flap around all over the place.

3/17/2009 2:24:03 AM

why, they are males that contribute to future generations

3/17/2009 3:10:08 AM

I believe this is all bullshit. How can you have a passive sensor that will determine a mosquito by the sound of its wings flapping? How close does a mosquito have to get to you before you hear them? The signal-noise ratio is going to be shit unless they can get some other signature off of them mosquitoes.

3/17/2009 4:31:45 AM

now all they have to do is make little men small enough to fire it

3/17/2009 7:02:47 AM

3/17/2009 7:23:13 AM

3/17/2009 8:22:33 AM

I was half expecting this to be an Onion article.

3/17/2009 8:34:47 AM

This was on slashdot yesterday.


From 1991: David Brin's "Earth" was published in May of 1991, there is an explanation of how "Star Wars" technology was modified to control infestations of africanized bees(killer bees) in local apiaries. The premise was that honey bees flapped their wings at a lower frequency. Targeting the higher frequency enabled the device to precisely target only the invading killer bees.

From 2005: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSIWpFPkYrk

3/17/2009 9:47:02 AM

I would run the electric bill through the roof to have this running 24/7 in the backyard.

3/17/2009 10:12:33 AM

TRAILERPARK ACCESSORIES OF THE FUTURE

3/17/2009 10:32:11 AM

I've used a lotta this.. Its real fun electrocuting those little buggers

3/17/2009 10:47:27 AM