Researchers create microwave drill/death ray

If any of our peeps at Tel Aviv University have been noticing some suspicious holes around the campus lately, here's your culprit. It seems some researchers at the university have created a microwave drill that can easily bore holes through concrete, glass and other materials without leaving so much as a trace of dust left behind. It works by heating up the material to a toasty 2,000 degrees Celsius (over 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit), which softens the material enough for a metal rod to be pushed through it. Like any good death ray, however, the microwave drill has its weaknesses. For starters, the beam is unable to penetrate steel or sapphire, and there's also the small issue of microwave radiation, which could have some nasty consequences for the poor soul stuck operating the drill. According to the researchers, however, a simple shielding plate should be enough to protect anyone in the vicinity of the monstrosity -- maybe, but are there enough steel plates to protect us all if the device falls into the wrong hands? Like ours?

[Via Core77]

[mark @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:14AM]

Simple shielding plate SHOULD be enough?...so uh, they didnt think to put one on straight away? I hope they didnt have to do too much testing then. Dude

[J.Neutron @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:50AM]

I for one welcome out microwave/deathray weilding overlords!

[Calleja @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:01AM]

Ok, kudos for this one, I literally laughed out loud. God , I love Engadget

[bongo @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:03AM]

"Sapphire & Steel"!!??
Did they know something?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire_and_steel

[Roberto @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:10AM]

Death rays don't kill people, ...

[Todd @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:30AM]

This "deathray" + any standard borescope = fun

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borescope

[noobs @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:05AM]

i don't know about you but that looks like a pretty shitty drill hole to me. Its all rough and stuff and completely unacceptable for micro/nano scale work.

I'll stick to my 140nm laser thanks so much.

[Danny @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:53AM]

All we need is an Unobtainium terracraft (and two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank) and we can finally bore our way to the Earth's core.

[The Evil Sys Admin @ Aug 23rd 2006 11:13AM]

Well it's not bad for a first effort, but it needs massive improvements is it's going to be deployed in the field.

More critiques at http://evilsysadmin.blogspot.com/2006/08/hmmph-amateurs.html

[Cindy @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:18PM]

Can I use it for welding?

[TC @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:17PM]

At least after all the hole digging you're guaranteed a hot lunch.

[Wyatt_Z @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:33PM]

I've finally decided on a weapon for my battlebot!

[Alex @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:42PM]

I find it appalling that the author of this article did not somehow reference the necessity of x-wings torpedos in somehow disabling this if it were ever launched into orbit.

[Shyam @ Sep 1st 2006 5:13AM]

Microwave looks a good idea for some high power cheap applications where not much of quality is of concern and if microwave can do the job with the required working material. Laser can't be that cheap for 10kW power. However, laser is for perfact job and may work with almost all types of materials.

I think it is good weapon for space fights. You don't have to drill a good hole. Any hole is OK.

Shyam