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3D Animations In Mid-Air Using Plasma Balls

Posted by kdawson on from the what's-that-crackling-sound dept.

An anonymous reader clues us to research at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology that has produced the ability to make animations by creating small plasma balls in mid-air. The technology doesn't use vapor or strange gases, just lasers to heat up oxygen and nitrogen molecules above the device: up to 1,000 brilliant dots per second, which makes smooth motion possible. When the tech improves it could be used for street signs or advertising.

3 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Short on Information by griffjon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It seems that the light is coming from the plasma, not the laser, so changing colors might not work. Also, you have to have one laser per pixel. I'd imagine to have two balls, one directly above another, you'd have to be able to tilt another laser to focus its beam at that location (if that makes any sense)

    Also - the current display can make 1000 balls? meh. That's a 10px x 10px x 10px display. It's awesome, sure, but the photoshop jobs they're showing are a LONG way off; right now we're looking more at led scroller type displays.

    --
    Returned Peace Corps IT Volunteer
  2. If I'm not mistaken... by thatskinnyguy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...plasma balls in mid-air is one of the things needed for a fusion reactor.

    --
    The game.
  3. Sharks? No. Mosquitos? YES! by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Growing up in a mosquito infested area, I often thought that someday, an anti-mosquito laser system could be developed.

    This technology could possibly do that. If it can focus a laser on a particular spot long enough to make plasma out of air, it can zap a skeeter!

    And you thought a bug-zapper was entertaining...