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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.

13 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Oblig... by band-aid-brand · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new lethally hot gas based advertisement overlords...

  2. pink tentacle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm not clicking that link.

  3. cool but Yikes! by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Funny

    It uses high power lasers to heat the air into a "plasma" when running it has the sounds of crackles as mini explosions occur.

    Oh yeah, that's a display I want. Instead of the cat blocking the screen, the cat bursts into flames. How the heck am I going to explain that one to the wife?

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:cool but Yikes! by Bluesman · · Score: 5, Funny

      "How the heck am I going to explain that one to the wife?"

      I'd say this:

      Why do you keep talking about this cat, honey? For the millionth time, we NEVER HAD A CAT. I think you need to see a doctor.

      It's a pretty healthy way to help loved ones deal with loss.

      --
      If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.
    2. Re:cool but Yikes! by megaditto · · Score: 5, Funny

      Instead of the cat blocking the screen, the cat bursts into flames. How the heck am I going to explain that one to the wife?
      Tell her that her pussy is smokin'-hot?

      sorry, sorry
      --
      Obama likes poor people so much, he wants to make more of them.
    3. Re:cool but Yikes! by tgd · · Score: 5, Funny

      Probably better than telling her that her pussy smells like burnt hair, I suppose.

  4. "Street signs or advertising" by smclean · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Hah, who sees an amazing technology like this and immediately begins thinking about its potential use for advertising? To me, its use in advertising seems like the only downside to this technology..

    "Guys!! I just heard that they came up with a way to project images directly in to your brain! Awesome, think of the *commercials*!! "

    --

    "'Yrch!' said Legolas, falling into his own tongue."

  5. Star Wars by JoeDuncan · · Score: 5, Funny

    So am I finally going to be able to play holo-chess against a wookie?

  6. Lightsaber anyone? by Thansal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Make me a portable version of this and I can finally have my friken LIGHTSABER!

    --
    Do Or Do Not, There Is No Spoon, There Is Only Zuul. Everything in the above post is probably opinion.
  7. Some video by desideria · · Score: 5, Informative

    There's video of the projector in action here

  8. 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...

  9. Re:Polluting? by StikyPad · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's why I'm working on my Laser Retinal Projector (patent pending) which aims the lasers directly at the retina. Since the eye is sealed system, there's virtually no danger of toxic gases! What's more, it offers a high degree of privacy, and if you're forgetful it can literally etch the images into your mind for life.*

    *Limit of one etch per mind.

    WARNING: Looking directly at the Laser Retinal Projector may cause minor explosions of the eye.

    --
    https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  10. Re:Sharks? No. Mosquitos? YES! by Bluesman · · Score: 5, Funny

    I like the way you think.

    But what we really need is a way to control mosquitos so that they can swarm to form advertisements. Then we'd get the laser bug zapper for free.

    --
    If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.