Skip to content
  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact
Menu
  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact

972-402-0000

Irving, Texas

  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact
Menu
  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact
Free Invention Analysis

Laser Beam Harmful and Annoying Bugs

  • May 30, 2016

Maybe you don’t cower in fear when you spot a bug making its way across your arm, but disease-carrying insects can have a devastating effect on the health of humans and animals, despite their diminutive size. Now scientists have come up with a new method of defence to counter this tiny threat: carefully targeted laser blasts.

Using what’s called a Photonic Fence, the researchers have demonstrated that they can identify, track, and then kill flying insects in real time. Think of any kind of laser targeting system in your sci-fi movie of choice, and you’re getting close. And the system does all this without harming any people or animals that get in the beam’s path.

This Photonic Fence was originally developed as a way of combating mosquitoes that carry malaria, but it’s now reached the stage where it can be used more broadly to control a greater range of small pests, and protect crops, animals, and human beings along the way.

The clever part is how it identifies its targets – detecting the insects’ wing beat frequency, as well as assessing their size, shape, and flight behaviour. Advanced computer software is used to recognise the bugs and then precisely disable them with a laser blast, firing the weapon only if the system is sure there won’t be any unwanted collateral damage.

The Photonic Fence tracking and identification module. Credit: Optical Society of America

From identifying a potential target to firing the laser takes less than 100 milliseconds, the researchers claim.

“Used as a virtual fence, the Photonic Fence can be deployed as a perimeter defence around villages, hospitals, crop fields,” explained project scientist 3ric Johanson from Washington-based company, Intellectual Ventures Laboratory. “Over time, the population of target insects inside the protected region would be decreased to the point of collapse.”

Johanson said organic farms and greenhouses would be perfect sites for a Photonic Fence, because it’s difficult to control pests using traditional methods at these kind of locations – the chemical pesticides that are normally used are often harmful to plant life, and sometimes even humans.

Diagram showing how the Photonic Fence works Credit: Optical Society of America

Even if the Photonic Fence never shoots a laser blast, it gives operators valuable insights into the types of unwanted bugs that are appearing – everything from the species of the insect, to what times of day they usually show up.

Put several fences together and aggregate the data, and you’ve got the world’s most elaborate bug-zapping defence system at your fingertips.

The researchers say their first goal is to get the technology out into the developing world to help in the eradication of mosquito-borne malaria. With malaria infections responsible for the deaths of 438,000 people last year, according to estimates from the World Health Organisation, it’s clear there’s a very real need for this technology.

Those bugs will never know what hit them. 

The research has been reported in Optics Express.

  • Inventions, Tech
Inventions
Tech

Latest Posts

This device tells you when the stove’s been left on
This device tells you when the stove’s been left on
Are you the type of person who needs to check that the stove is off five times before leaving the ...
WeMo is a smart plug that allows you to control appliances remotely
WeMo is a smart plug that allows you to control appliances remotely
Have you ever left the iron on, only to remember hours later while you're sitting at your desk at work? ...
The pocket-sized Nix Sensor digitizes colors on demand
The pocket-sized Nix Sensor digitizes colors on demand
Assuming that you're in fact not some sort of color wizard, The Nix Mini Color Sensor could be an awesome ...
Sit back, relax, and let this electric bike go 236 miles on one charge
Sit back, relax, and let this electric bike go 236 miles on one charge
E-bike technology isn't exactly new — we've seen multiple scattered across the Internet for a few years now, all claiming ...
Think you can invent a personal jetpack? Boeing could give you $2 million for it
Think you can invent a personal jetpack? Boeing could give you $2 million for it
Boeing really wants to make personal jetpacks a thing, and they’re asking for your help. Boeing is sponsoring the GoFly ...
Use this super smart case to instantly print photos from your phone
Use this super smart case to instantly print photos from your phone
The upside to advanced camera phone technology is super sharp pictures we can’t help but share on just about every ...
Previous
Next
View all Posts

What's on Your Mind?

Submit your Idea for your Free
Patent Search Now.

FREE PATENT SEARCH
  • 972.402.0000
  • [email protected]

What's on Your Mind?

Submit your Idea for your Free
Patent Search Now.

FREE PATENT SEARCH
  • 972.402.0000
  • [email protected]

Give Us a Call

972.402.0000

Evaluate

  • Phone Interview
  • Initial Meeting
  • Invention Analysis
  • Plan of Action

Develop

  • Invention Design
  • 2D/3D Illustrations
  • Invention Engineering
  • Patent Protection

Launch

  • Market Research
  • Manufacturers Search
  • Invention Brochures
  • Licensing & Royalties

Address

6565 N.MacArthur Blvd, Irving, Texas 75039

Phone

972.402.0000

800.962.3032

972.402.0095

Email

[email protected]

Evaluate

  • Phone Interview
  • Office Meeting
  • Invention Analysis
  • Plan of Action

Develop

  • Invention Design
  • 2D/3D Illustrations
  • Invention Engineering
  • Patent Protection

Launch

  • Market Research
  • Manufacturers Search
  • Invention Brochures
  • Licensing & Royalties

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in Pinterest-p Twitter
© 2022, Lonestar Patent Services, Inc.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Invention Analysis

×

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

This agreement keeps your idea safe between you and Lonestar Patent Services.

I understand that the product idea information I submit cannot be used, disclosed or sold without my express written permission. I also understand that all Lonestar Patent Services employees are required to sign an ethics and confidentiality agreement for my protection. I believe that I am the original inventor of the idea described herein. I authorize Lonestar Patent Services to review my idea and contact me in 3 to 5 business days with the results. I acknowledge that Lonestar Patent Services monitors and records telephone calls for quality assurance. I understand that Lonestar Patent Services does not promise any financial gain from the development of any new product idea.

By clicking the “submit” button below as my electronic signature, I expressly consent to being contacted about Lonestar Patent Services by phone call, auto-dialed phone call including prerecorded voice messages, text messages or email at any number or email address I provide. I understand that my consent is not a requirement for purchase of services.

Fee based service.