sci-fi weapons and focal points

[neutrino_cannon]

They store positrons in hospitals ready for use? That's got to be risky....

I think they're refering to positron emmisions topography (PET). An isotope of something or another is absorbed into the brain tissue at differential rates based on the activity there. The positrons are spontainiously emited by the something or another, and the gamma ras given off by the resultant annihilations can be measured to give an idea of what the brain is doing where.

It's poor man's MRI as I understand it.

 

[athon]

Actually these type of devices do exist in hospitals, they focus positrons or X-Rays to a particular area ( mostly used for inoperable brain tumors) and destroy only the cancerous/ tumor tissue. The machines take up two rooms , cost a kabillion bux , and require complete stillness on the part of the patient. The cost in energy is huge , the cost id dollars is in the millions. So does the concept seem viable yes... for a mass produced, hand held weapon ..err, coff,coff

I thought this was the case. I just wanted to be certain the basic principles were sound.

As for everybody else's ideas, I think we have a few good sci-fi writers here. Then again, when you spend any amount of time exploring paranormal claims, you get a feel for how good science fiction works.

Cheers,

Athon

 

[sorgoth]

For the big guns...use solar charged satellites, that orbit the earth so that they're always in the sun. I figure, you get three or so, aim them all so they converge on a target, and send rays that make the convergence point burn.

 

[neutrino_cannon]

For the big guns...use solar charged satellites, that orbit the earth so that they're always in the sun. I figure, you get three or so, aim them all so they converge on a target, and send rays that make the convergence point burn.

It's easier than that. Solar sails, big pieces of really thin mylar are being investigated as a cheap way to get around in the solar system, since the pressure of photons is essentialy indefinate. Simply take your three square mile solar sail, focus into parabola, and viola! Solar powered weapon of mass destruction! Smite countless people from the face of the earth and at the same time tap into renewable energy!

 

[Diamond]

It's easier than that. Solar sails, big pieces of really thin mylar are being investigated as a cheap way to get around in the solar system, since the pressure of photons is essentialy indefinate. Simply take your three square mile solar sail, focus into parabola, and viola! Solar powered weapon of mass destruction! Smite countless people from the face of the earth and at the same time tap into renewable energy!

Is this a WMD that burns up in the atmosphere on re-entry? Are you trying to scare people to death by showing them an artifical meteor?

 

[TillEulenspiegel]

I thought this was the case. I just wanted to be certain the basic principles were sound.


Athon

Well I was inexact =) the impression i was trying to convey is the massive amounts of energy involved in either generation or focusing of those energies. If you think of a TV it has a small filliment in the back of the picture tube powered by 6 volts. Now we have to accelerate the electrons, that takes a field of 16,000+ plus volts ( not a lot of current ) , now we also have to focus the beam, that requires 500-700 volts and much current. Now thats OK for a statonary object like a TV or even a EM weapon gun turret, but not practical for a hand held weapon. Just remember that you cannot output more energy from a system then it contains. even in potential form. ( like an atomic explosion, which BTW you don't want to hold in you hand , unless your Ahhhnold)