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Could this be used a form of "organic" pest control. Would it deter insects from crops? If nothing else it would seem to keep birds away from berries, etc.
by tocomment 16y ago
Could this be used a form of "organic" pest control. Would it deter insects from crops? If nothing else it would seem to keep birds away from berries, etc.
- motters 16y agoThat's a good point. You might be able to have a rotating beam passing over a crop, although if aimed at the crop it might have a negative effect due to the surface water heating aspect. Perhaps there are particular frequencies which might be effective against insects, but leave crops unharmed.
- qohen 16y agoRaytheon, the maker of this system, is already pursuing agricultural applications, though apparently they are focussed on preventing frost-damage (via Slashdot): http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/06/25/raytheon-turns-swords-into-plowshares/ http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/06/25/raytheon-turns...
- motters 16y agoThe other problem would be that only a minority of insects are pests, and others are beneficial. You wouldn't necessarily want to deter all insects.
- dagobart 16y agoI initially thought along the same lines, but not outdoors. Depending on the energy consumption, this technology might serve as a nice protection inside buildings. Like areas where you don't want unauthorized personel to go to. For everyone else you could "lower the shield" for the moment of passing-through.