Electrical wave 'blaster' could provide new way to extinguish fires

[DavidDvorkin]

A curtain of flame halts firefighters trying to rescue a family inside a burning home. One with a special backpack steps to the front, points a wand at the flame, and shoots a beam of electricity that opens a path through the flame for the others to pass and lead the family to safety.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-03/acs-ttf030911.php

[phantom power]

1. Hilarity ensues....

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Hah!

I didn't even make that connection.

[phantom power]

6. My cognitive map of the universe is based almost entirely on 80s SF/action movies.

It's not a good thing, but I'm stuck with it now.

[ixion]

7. just don't cross the beams!

:rofl:

This was the first thing I thought of as well. :toast:

[Octafish]

3. Mebbe they can adapt it for fighting nuclear reactor fires?

Mebbe meltdowns, too? Use a force field to keep the radiation at bay...

[Rex]

4. The force is stong in this one...

We need Yoda to keep the radiation at bay.

[DemoTex]

5. Maybe it will replace the wildland firefighters' "shake-and-bake" tent.