roseembolism (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
roseembolism) wrote2009-06-02 09:09 am
roseembolism) wrote2009-06-02 09:09 am
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This is the dawning of the age, of the coilgun, age of the coilgun
Coilguns, guns that fire projectiles via magnetic coils have always seemed like a fanciful science fiction dream. Well, until now.
The MV Coilmaster Mark-1 Coil Gun!
I mean, this is a SERIOUSLY funky looking device. Like something a a mad scientist would whip up on the spur of the moment.
And it turns out this isn't the only, or even first coilgun out there. Barry's Coilgun Designs is a site that gives information on the therory behind coilguns, and pretty much all the info you need to build one of the things in your own home. Then there's World's Coilgun Arsenal, which has a listing of dozens of different coilguns, ranging from one made out of a camera, to a replica M-16. However, most of the guns look like the designers were inspired by either Aliens or Star Trek.
So are we entering a brave new world of advanced military technology? Well, in a a word, no. These coilguns are neither powerful nor efficient- in fact thery're more toys than weapons. If one looks at the specs, the actual energy delivered by coilguns is very low, the range is short, and worst of all, the recharge time is worse than black powder weapons. The Coilmaster up above for instance, has a recharge time for the capacitators of 90 seconds, or 8 seconds if one plugs it into a wall outlet. But somehow, I don't see Arnie the Terminator pausing in chasing Sarah O'Conner to search out a wall outlet to plug his gun into.
So once again, the future is here...it's just not very practical.
The MV Coilmaster Mark-1 Coil Gun!
I mean, this is a SERIOUSLY funky looking device. Like something a a mad scientist would whip up on the spur of the moment.
And it turns out this isn't the only, or even first coilgun out there. Barry's Coilgun Designs is a site that gives information on the therory behind coilguns, and pretty much all the info you need to build one of the things in your own home. Then there's World's Coilgun Arsenal, which has a listing of dozens of different coilguns, ranging from one made out of a camera, to a replica M-16. However, most of the guns look like the designers were inspired by either Aliens or Star Trek.
So are we entering a brave new world of advanced military technology? Well, in a a word, no. These coilguns are neither powerful nor efficient- in fact thery're more toys than weapons. If one looks at the specs, the actual energy delivered by coilguns is very low, the range is short, and worst of all, the recharge time is worse than black powder weapons. The Coilmaster up above for instance, has a recharge time for the capacitators of 90 seconds, or 8 seconds if one plugs it into a wall outlet. But somehow, I don't see Arnie the Terminator pausing in chasing Sarah O'Conner to search out a wall outlet to plug his gun into.
So once again, the future is here...it's just not very practical.
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It all comes down to power supplies. :)
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add this to the list of things Eric isn't allowed to have
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