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Bacteria-killing Pencil

Posted by Hemos on from the destruction-of-those-around-us dept.

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."

10 of 285 comments (clear)

  1. It's only a matter of time by cloak42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    before we see light sabers.

    1. Re:It's only a matter of time by Thats_Pipe · · Score: 3, Funny

      Only problem the need to figure out is how to stop two plasma streams from passing through eachother. We'll probably have the effect looking real good in a few years but the theatrical presentation might take a while.

      --
      "You see them trees out back, I take care of them. I'm a tree, I'm a tree wizard." - Crazy Homeless Guy
    2. Re:It's only a matter of time by ultrasound · · Score: 3, Funny

      Dont cross the streams it would be bad

    3. Re:It's only a matter of time by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 5, Funny

      DARTH VADER: The circle is complete, when last we met I was the student, now I am the master.

      OBI WAN KENOBI: Only a master of disinfectants, Darth. If you strike me down I shall become cleaner than you can possibly imagine.

      --
      You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  2. Ah... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Funny

    A light sabre for sanitation freaks.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  3. Wow! by Chocolate+Teapot · · Score: 4, Funny

    It must be really sharp! I mean, those bacteria are pretty small.

    --
    Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
  4. The fine print. by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Funny
    "May cause you to turn green and grow a second head. May cause addiction in persons with neurotic fixations on sanitation. For external use only. Not for use by children under 40. Erotic applications may violate the Sex Toys Act of 1986. Batteries not included."
    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  5. Re: How come it only hurts the bacteria? by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Funny

    > 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
  6. A little etymology by Lars+T. · · Score: 4, Funny

    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

  7. OK guys, somebody has to say it! by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 3, Funny

    (I still can't believe nobody has said it yet - is it because it's saturday?)

    I, for the honor of the underrated /. cliché jokes, welcome our new bacteria-killing overlords.

    (Applause)

    Thank you.