Sonic tractor beam invented (w/ Video) [This is Cool]

Posted by $ Olduglycarl 7 years, 2 months ago to Science
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Hmm, now What could we do with this?

I envision filling up Air Force One with the worst of our kakistocracy and sending it to the Moon!
SOURCE URL: http://phys.org/news/2015-10-sonic-tractor-video.html


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  • Posted by $ CBJ 7 years, 2 months ago
    Unfortunately these tractor beams only work if an atmosphere is present. They wouldn't work in the near-vacuum of outer space, as in a Star Trek scenario.
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    • Posted by mccannon01 7 years, 2 months ago
      What if you created a ground pad of these speakers and formed a giant in-atmosphere sonic pea shooter and spit balled 'em to the moon? Too bad, I guess, if you miss. :-)
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      • Posted by $ CBJ 7 years, 2 months ago
        That should work, but the object being "spit balled" would have to be strong enough to withstand the intense sonic pressure. I doubt that any living organism would survive such a trip.
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        • Posted by mccannon01 7 years, 2 months ago
          Yes, CBJ, but I was being facetious with your observation that an atmosphere would be required and the visual that popped into my head was a pad of speakers as seen in the video spitting Olduglycarl's vision of Air Force One full of kakistocracy to the moon. Your additional observation that said cargo would likely be jellified is duly noted. Again with a :-)

          On a more serious note, though, you have me wondering what speaker/frequency configuration would be required to construct such a "pea shooter". The sonic tube will likely have to extend into the upper atmosphere and some kind of sonic peristaltic action would be required to provide the "spit". Of course the entire tube wouldn't have to exist at the same time, only the part encapsulating the object being "spat" as it accelerates through the atmosphere. The energy required would be enormous and the materials the speakers would need to be made out of would have to take a considerable stress. I figure the wire gauge would have to be substantial as well and, if constructed at Cape Canaveral, half of Florida would go dim when they fired it up. Interesting to cogitate.

          Edit: A further thought is it probably wouldn't work due to the limitation of the speed of sound.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 7 years, 2 months ago
    Very cool. One of the guys that works with me is a PhD in acoustics, and he has been after me to fund some research in thermoacoustics or acoustic pumps. It is similar technique.
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  • Posted by ScintiaSitPotentia 7 years, 2 months ago
    This is interesting. I really would enjoy to see this in real life, innovation, science, and advancement always fascinate me. I look forward to our societies future achievements.
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