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Stopping Cars With Microwave Radiation

Posted by samzenpus on from the stops-in-under-a-minute dept.

Ponca City, We Love You writes "Researchers have created an electromagnetic system that can quickly bring a vehicle to a stop by sending out pulses of microwave radiation to disable the microprocessors that control the central engine functions in a car. A 200-pound unit attached to the roof of a police car can be used to stop fleeing and noncooperative vehicles. The average power emitted in a single shot is about 10 kilowatts at 100 hertz and since each radiated pulse lasts about 50 nanoseconds, the total energy output is 100 joules at a distance of 15 meters. One concern with the device is that it could cause an accident if a car is disabled and a driver loses steering control. The device could also disable other vehicles in the area so the most practical application may be for perimeter protection at remote areas. Criminals have a work-around too. Since electronic control modules were not built into most cars until 1972, the system will not work on automobiles made before that year."

11 of 522 comments (clear)

  1. What happens when... by cuteseal · · Score: 5, Funny

    What happens when criminals get their hands on this and start disabling police cars as well? :D

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    1. Re:What happens when... by nocomment · · Score: 5, Insightful

      or worse, the police disable a bystanders pacemaker.

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    2. Re:What happens when... by DirkGently · · Score: 5, Interesting

      No. Aeroplanes use entirely shielded electronics gear. Missiles (especially the nuclear type) are likely to be used in an environment with a high probability of an EMP burst and are built to withstand it (which is why "mil spec" usually equates to badass). Satellites? They contend with a helluvalot more than 100J of energy on a daily basis.

      Which also makes me wonder why, if someone were intent on illegality, they couldn't put their own little faraday cage around the car's ECU. A little box made of copper with a drain wire to the car frame too hard to implement?

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  2. Grandma was found dead at the scene by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Grandma was pulled over by the sheriff
    Coming home from our house Christmas eve.
    Cops say microwaves can be used safely,
    But as for me and Grandpa, we disbelieve.

  3. Tinfoil by megaditto · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not just for hats anymore.

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  4. War Zone by elzurawka · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Seams a lot more useful in a war zone. At a roadblock in Iraq i think people would appreciate their engine getting shut off a little more the getting shot at.

    It could even be set up on a speed trap so that if you enter a road block at a certain speed it would shut off the car automatically.

    I guess once again the problem may lie in the fact that most cars in Iraq and other hot spots may not have the Electronic components needed for this. But hey if it stops something like http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4323209.stm then i think its worth it?

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  5. Organic shield by GaryOlson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Shield the microprocessor with some left-over casserole. Microwaves never fully penetrate the the center of that mass.

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  6. Re:Faraday cage by Dunbal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And what if the cops are chasing someone with a pacemaker?

          Then the cops involved are suspended with pay during the official investigation, which will find that the cops could not be reasonably expected to have known that the person had a pacemaker, so they will be off the hook, AS USUAL.

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  7. Nice Gadget, but What I really want by slntnsnty · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is a device that causes those obnoxious Bass units that shake every car for 3 blocks to implode. Now that would be a useful gadget.

  8. microwaves are a Hazzard by ChristTrekker · · Score: 5, Funny

    At least the Duke boys will be safe in that '69 Charger...

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  9. Re:'67 AMC Rebel by jag7720 · · Score: 5, Informative

    That is why AMC is no longer making cars..... and no one but you is still driving them