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Bacteria-killing Pencil
kahrytan writes "Mounir Laroussi, a researcher at Old Dominion University has invented a hand-held device that is dubbed a plasma pencil. The pencil generates a "cold plasma," which can be used to kill germs that contaminate surfaces, infect wounds and rot your teeth. In the future, it might be used to destroy tumors without damaging surrounding tissue. When he turns the pencil on, it blows a high pitched whistle as a glowing, blue-violet beam about 2 inches long instantly appears at one end. Stick your finger in its path and you only feel a cool breeze, but the beam is powerful enough to blast apart bacteria that's crawling on your skin. Such a device if patented, tested and mass produced could end up doing a lot of good. Disinfecting surgery tools, keeping open wounds open in hospitals, destroying tumors in hard to operate areas like brains, and even treating that simple paper cut. The story can be read at dailypress and old dominion university."
before we see light sabers.
now I can kill these annoying crabs at home without risk of serious injury
A light sabre for sanitation freaks.
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
If he really wants to give it a workout, he could always try it on whatever that sluggishly-flowing brown stuff is in the Elizabeth River on the west side of campus...
Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
Hey, that's pretty good these days, actually.
CNN has an article about a sea turtle that was returned to a New Orleans aquarium. According to the caption, it's now swimming "with other fish"...
Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
It must be really sharp! I mean, those bacteria are pretty small.
Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
> Also, why call it a pencil? It doesn't write anything.
If you work in a biolab you could draw pictures in the bacterial cultures with it.
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
So THAT'S how E.T. cured Elliott!
The words pencil and penicillin both derive from the same word penicillum, which is a double diminutive of the latin word for tail. I will not name that word, else I'll be modded Troll ;-)
Lars T.
To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck
I know, it reminds me of third grade alittle bit too.
Conversation over holophone. Mother: Jimmy got suspend suspended again.. Father: God dammit WHY ? Mother: He's sprayed the #2 Plasma pencil on little Roberts 3th eye. He lost it so we have to pay for the growth of a new one. Father: OMFG. Mother: It's gonna cost 893748934 credits Father: Im gonna send that kid to earth... blah blah.
RUPERT! I TOLD YOU TO WATCH THE BAGS! You were looking at the boys again, WEREN'T YOU.
Seriously, it seems as if bacteria (or, more rhetorically, GERMS) are replacing paedophiles in terms of evoking hysteria for protecting THE CHILDREN (OMG).
"This is a recorded message from Your County Sherrif department. This is to notify you that a GERM has moved into the 2300 block of Pleasanview Drive and has complied with state and federal regulations notifying us of his residence."
(I still can't believe nobody has said it yet - is it because it's saturday?)
/. cliché jokes, welcome our new bacteria-killing overlords.
I, for the honor of the underrated
(Applause)
Thank you.