WMD: Weapons of Mosquito Destruction

Astrophysicist Lowell Wood worked on the hydrogen bomb and Ronald Reagan’s "Star Wars" defense system to protect the US from Soviet missiles using lasers.

Now, Wood and colleagues at Intellectual Ventures have a plan to protect mankind from a far worse enemy, the mosquito. Behold, a "mosquito flashlight" that knock out the bug’s eye-like sensor:

On the shelf were five Maglite flashlights, a zoom lens from a 35mm camera, and the laser itself — a little black box with an assortment of small lenses and mirrors. On the floor below sat a Dell personal computer that is the laser’s brain.

A mosquito hovers into view. Suddenly, it bursts into flame. A thin plume of smoke rises as the mosquito falls. At the bottom of the screen, the carcass smolders.

Not only can the laser target a mosquito, it can also tell a male from a female based on wing-beat.

Link – via reddit

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Minnesotastan.


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  1. Johnny Cat
    Mar 15th, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    “it can also tell a male from a female based on wing-beat.”

    Ah, so that’s how Noah knew.

  2. VonSkippy
    Mar 15th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    Yeah, seems WAAAAAY more efficient then a cheap to make, cheap to run, supper effective bug zapper.

  3. XuYu
    Mar 16th, 2009 at 12:47 am

    Where can I buy one!!!!!

  4. Elle Ferrer
    Mar 16th, 2009 at 3:31 am

    ok…having lived in Florida, I have to admit Mosquitoes are the devil…plus I heard that they can carry some kind of maggot dwelling parasite that they can implant in your skin (it gives me the creepers) but yea! I want one: “A mosquito hovers into view. Suddenly, it bursts into flame. A thin plume of smoke rises as the mosquito falls. At the bottom of the screen, the carcass smolders.” …it sounds awesome!

  5. just a guy
    Mar 16th, 2009 at 4:17 am

    mosquitoes have ‘eye-like sensors’ ?

    also, it doesn’t sound like the device ‘knocks out it’s sensor’ so much as it just fries the bug.

  6. seefish3
    Mar 16th, 2009 at 4:24 am

    Worked on Reagan’s “Star Wars” defense system, eh?
    You mean that silly-ass fantasy that was never implemented and would never have worked?

    I wouldn’t put that on my resume.

  7. Evilbeagle
    Mar 16th, 2009 at 5:22 am

    This is cooler than the bug zapper! I would have too much fun with this.

  8. Murc
    Mar 17th, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    Saw this in a hoax ad a couple of years ago. Serach youtube for ‘star wars musquito defense system’ or check the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGkPMZxWPpA

    It’s in dutch but still a funny clip, the whole principle is there! Also to be used on the neighbours cat ;)


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