New Security Technology: projecting a silent microwave scream inside your head

July 9 2008 | 0 comment(s)

The US military has bankrolled early development of a non-lethal microwave weapon that can cause sound inside the target's head.

The Mob Excess Deterrent Using Silent Audio ("MEDUSA") is based on a well-known phenomenon, but the link to potential military use has only recently been made.  When active, the MEDUSA's microwave beam causes shockwaves inside its targets' skulls which can be detected by the ears.  A series of microwave pulses can also be created to produce recognisable sounds.

The MEDUSA's advantage lies in that the generated sound originates from within the skull, and cannot be blocked out by conventional means such as earplugs.  Depending on the intensity of the beam, the effect can range from annoyance to incapacitation.  Conversely, personnel situated outside the MEDUSA's beam will be completely unaffected.

In addition to potential applications on the battlefield and in crowd control, the technology behind the MEDUSA may also be of assistance to people with outer ear problems that impair their normal hearing.

Further details may be read in this New Scientist report

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