Mosquito laser update

[Bronco]

There have been several threads here in the past on the topic of using lasers to kill annoying flying insects; mostly in the context of how much fun it would be to kick back at the family barbeque and blast those horse flies right out of the sky with your CPF approved laser insect rifle. Some scientists, however, are considering the idea more seriously as a way to combat malaria in third world nations. Nathan Myhrvold is one of those scientists who has been working in conjunction with the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation. He was mentioned here in a thread on the subject last year. The following page contains a more recent update with some accompanying videos:

http://singularityhub.com/2010/05/19/a-mosquito-zapping-laser-that-fights-malaria-yes/#more-16730

 

[jtr1962]

Considering how much I can't stand mosquitoes, that video was a joy to watch. They're one of the insects which has no redeeming value whatsoever in my mind ( along with cockroaches ). Bring on the mosquito-zapping lasers! :devil:

 

[uk_caver]

Also an article in the IEEE Spectrum
http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/gadgets/backyard-star-wars

 

[allthatwhichis]

They're one of the insects which has no redeeming value whatsoever in my mind ( along with cockroaches ).

Population control... Not that I don't hate the buggers; they do serve a purpose.

 

[Illum]

They're one of the insects which has no redeeming value whatsoever in my mind ( along with cockroaches ). Bring on the mosquito-zapping lasers! :devil:

you'd understand their value [along with flys] if you are a fan of venus flytraps...at one point it becomes an exclusive diet for them. Mosquitos are easy to catch [in the larvae stage] around containers with standing water, easy to transfer via containers...and easy to apply to the plants, albeit half starved since birth:shrug:

 

[fyrstormer]

http://www.helium.com/items/262546-what-are-mosquitoes-good-for

Little known fact: male mosquitoes are the sole pollinators of certain types of plants. It's only the females who bite. Also, mosquitoes are uniquely annoying to humans because humans have a unique fondness for keeping large amounts of stagnant water nearby.

 

[Illum]

http://www.helium.com/items/262546-what-are-mosquitoes-good-for

Little known fact: male mosquitoes are the sole pollinators of certain types of plants. It's only the females who bite. Also, mosquitoes are uniquely annoying to humans because humans have a unique fondness for keeping large amounts of stagnant water nearby.

:thinking:

I heard its because of the lactic acid that we yield from our skin that is derived from exhausting gluecose into energy...with animals having a rich coat of fur, them may attract mosquitos but I'd imagine stinging through fur would be rather difficult:candle:

Of all the animals in the world we're probably the only organism that they can easily feed off of

 

[LowBat]

"I see you have constructed a new mosquito lightsaber. Your skills are complete, indeed you are powerful as Bill Gates has foreseen."


Actually I'd love to have a portable camping version of this thing. Rather than a fence defense what about mounting it on a tripod and connecting it to a few high speed servo motors. It could constantly sweep 360 degrees like a radar dish looking for targets of opportunity that match it's IFF (identify friend or foe). Just imagine taking it a step further and programming in some other target profiles instead of just mosquitos. You could sleep soundly in your tent knowing Rocky raccoon isn't getting within 20 feet of your stuff. I can think of home uses too. Plants and flower gardens that once were feasted upon will now remain safe while surprised diners become barbecue escargot. Spiders that crawl up the walls at night won't get past the 38th parallel. Window screens could become so last century.