U.K. Scientist Working on Real-Life Sonic Screwdriver

[vansau]

U.K. Scientist Working on Real-Life Sonic Screwdriver

Have you always hoped and dreamed of owning a Sonic Screwdriver? Well, it's not going to happen anytime soon, but you might get to have one eventually.

If you've ever watched a single episode of Doctor Who, you've seen The Doctor bust out his Sonic Screwdriver to do ... well, just about anything really. Fans of the show will probably be excited to learn that a British university professor is working to (eventually) make the device a reality.

For the moment, Bruce Drinkwater (a professor of ultrasonics at Bristol University), is working to prove that the concept of a Sonic Screwdriver is at least possible. Drinkwater wants to build on pre-existing research that uses ultrasonic waves to move small objects and separate diseased cells from healthy ones.

The theory is that ultrasound could be used to simulate the mechanics of a real screwdriver. A rotating forcefield could perform the function of a head, while spinning ultrasonic waves at high speed could create a tornado-like force to turn the screws.

I've got a pretty limited science background, but it sounds like this is pretty plausible. Drinkwater is apparently hoping the Doctor Who connection will get kids to become more interested in science and engineering. That sounds like some pretty solid logic, too.

Source: Geeks Are Sexy

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[the_pleasure_is_mine]

Sounds awesome

I want one D:

 

[Daemascus]

When has he ever used it as a screwdriver though?

 

[Daemascus]

whoops double posted

 

[Chrono212]

Sound logic is sound.

Also would work if you couldn't get to said screw. Cool and practical. Like me X3

 

[Chrono212]

When has he ever used it as a screwdriver though?

Here you go ;3

Spoiler: And if you didn't get that... X3

The Doctor: [finishes locking the door with his Sonic screwdriver] Ok, that door should hold it for a bit.
Captain Jack Harkness: The Door. The wall didn't stop it!
The Doctor: Well it's got to find us first! Come on, we're not done yet! Assets, assets!
Captain Jack Harkness: Well, I've got a banana and, in a pinch, you could put up some shelves.

 

[XJ-0461]

:O DO WANT!!!!

*Ahem* Sorry about that. But I would want to buy one if they ever become commercially available.

 

[Rakkana]

Positive: This Is Awesome.

Negative: So we'll all need to get deadlock seals on our doors or risk burglary, damn future.

 

[Drop_D-Bombshell]

I want one if he succeeds. If it does the same things as the sonic screwdriver in Dr. Who then it's going to be SO much fun >

 

[Dr. Paine]

This comes right after I start actually watching Doctor Who...

I love science.

 

[AK47Marine]

I want one! like now

 

[Twilight_guy]

You do realize that we're inventing a screwdriver that is entirely over-complex and prone to mechanical failure and battery death when we have a simple, cheap common mechanical device to do that already? I'm a fan of the Doctor too, but this just seems like a waste.

 

[Tim Latshaw]

I was about to come on with some snarky comment saying, "Sure, we can mess with stuff like this because we've cured cancer." but then I read how it could potentially be used to eradicate diseased cells.

Rock on, Dr. Drinkwater.

 

[tomtom94]

One word: WANT.

You do realize that we're inventing a screwdriver that is entirely over-complex and prone to mechanical failure and battery death when we have a simple, cheap common mechanical device to do that already? I'm a fan of the Doctor too, but this just seems like a waste.

Read the whole article...

For the moment, Bruce Drinkwater (a professor of ultrasonics at Bristol University), is working to prove that the concept of a Sonic Screwdriver is at least possible. Drinkwater wants to build on pre-existing research that uses ultrasonic waves to move small objects and separate diseased cells from healthy ones.

I think that's useful, non?

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

I didn't even read the whole thing, but Bruce Drinkwater has got to be the coolest fucking name ever

 

[Moriarty70]

For the moment, Bruce Drinkwater (a professor of ultrasonics at Bristol University), is working to prove that the concept of a Sonic Screwdriver is at least possible. Drinkwater wants to build on pre-existing research that uses ultrasonic waves to move small objects and separate diseased cells from healthy ones.

I think that's useful, non?

Plus, like a bowtie, it would be COOL!

Besides, anyone who's tried to screw something somewhere awkward (not the back of a VW), knows how usefull a touchless screwdriver would be.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

I read about this. I want it so badly. And a fez. Not sure which one I want the most...

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I read about this. I want it so badly. And a fez. Not sure which one I want the most...

Fez's are cool, but sonic screwdrivers are really cool. Even better than bananas.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

I read about this. I want it so badly. And a fez. Not sure which one I want the most...

Fez's are cool, but sonic screwdrivers are really cool. Even better than bananas.

Hm, multi-purpose glowing tool with the word "sonic" in it, or the coolest head wear on the planet? Tough choices...

 

[jack583]

.....
words cannot describe the level of awesome that is this post.

plus i have a theory on making a obect with more space on the inside then the size of the object.
nothing in words just yet, and i am going to need to study physic a lot more to see if my theory is even plausable.
but as long as it dosen't go against "mass and energy cannot be created or destroied" it could work!