Boeing has sought inspiration from the annals of sci-fi and patented a revolutionary ‘force field’ technology.
No longer relegated to the realms of Star Wars, Boeing’s force field will protect buildings or vehicles from damage caused by explosions.
The patent, initially filed in 2012 but approved last week, is named ‘method and system for shockwave attenuation via electromagnetic arc’ (via Cnet).
It’s important to note that Boeing’s prospective tech won’t be able to deflect direct impact objects, but will instead stave off damaging shockwaves caused by explosions.
Sensors are fitted to a building or vehicle that detect nearby explosions capable of generated a shockwave.
An arc generator then receives this signal and ionises an area to produce a plasma field that will fend off the shockwave, courtesy of lasers, electricity, and microwave.
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“Such embodiments as described above may reduce the energy density of the shockwave by creating
The force field is very hot, however, and deflects light so those inside the force field can’t see out. This means it’s not feasible to maintain the field for extended periods of time. That’s why it only appears when the system senses an explosion.
It’s worth noting that this force field tech could have far-reaching implications, even off the battlefield. Civilian buildings and cars could be fitted with the system to mitigate damage caused by earthquakes or explosions.
It’s not yet clear whether Boeing will actually utilise the technology described in the patent, but our inner geek is giddy at the thought.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
