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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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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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.
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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!
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