weapons – Lifeboat News: The Blog https://lifeboat.com/blog Safeguarding Humanity Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:29:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 Glowing gunshot residue: New method illuminates crime scene clues https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/04/glowing-gunshot-residue-new-method-illuminates-crime-scene-clues https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/04/glowing-gunshot-residue-new-method-illuminates-crime-scene-clues#respond Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:29:35 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/04/glowing-gunshot-residue-new-method-illuminates-crime-scene-clues

Crime scene investigation may soon become significantly more accurate and efficient thanks to a new method for detecting gunshot residues. Researchers from the groups of Wim Noorduin (AMOLF/University of Amsterdam) and Arian van Asten (University of Amsterdam) developed the technique that converts lead particles found in gunshot residue into light-emitting semiconductors. This method is faster, more sensitive, and easier to use than current alternatives.

Forensic experts at the Amsterdam police force are already testing it in actual crime scene investigations. The researchers published their findings in Forensic Science International on March 9.

]]>
https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/04/glowing-gunshot-residue-new-method-illuminates-crime-scene-clues/feed 0
Directed Energy Weapons Are Real… And Disruptive https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/02/directed-energy-weapons-are-real-and-disruptive https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/02/directed-energy-weapons-are-real-and-disruptive#respond Fri, 07 Feb 2025 18:02:24 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/02/directed-energy-weapons-are-real-and-disruptive

In the 1951 science fiction film, “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” powerful ray guns are shown vaporizing rifles and even tanks. In the Star Wars movies, a wide variety of directed energy weapons are depicted, from handheld lightsabers to massive, spaceship-mounted laser cannons.

What exactly is a directed energy weapon? Are these weapons still science fiction, lab experiments, or are they real? How can they be used and how disruptive can they be? What are the challenges and next steps? This article will examine answers to these questions.

According to DOD’s Joint Publication 3–13 Electronic Warfare, directed energy (DE) is described as an:

]]>
https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/02/directed-energy-weapons-are-real-and-disruptive/feed 0
Nano-Chainmail 2D Mechanically Interlocked Polymer https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/01/nano-chainmail-2d-mechanically-interlocked-polymer https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/01/nano-chainmail-2d-mechanically-interlocked-polymer#respond Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:24:11 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/01/nano-chainmail-2d-mechanically-interlocked-polymer

Nemourlon armor of reasonable weight resists penetration by most fragments and any bullet that is not both reasonably heavy and fairly high-velocity.’ — Jerry Pournelle, 1976.

Goldene — A Two-Dimensional Sheet Of Gold One Atom Thick ‘Hasan always pitched a Gauzy — a one-molecule-layer tent, opaque, feather-light, and very tough.’ — Roger Zelazny, 1966.

GNoME AI From DeepMind Invents Millions Of New Materials ‘…the legendary creativity of our finest human authors pales against the mathematical indefatigability of GNoME.’

]]>
https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/01/nano-chainmail-2d-mechanically-interlocked-polymer/feed 0
The FDA just cleared a new device that stops bleeding from gunshot wounds in seconds https://lifeboat.com/blog/2024/08/the-fda-just-cleared-a-new-device-that-stops-bleeding-from-gunshot-wounds-in-seconds Fri, 16 Aug 2024 20:27:26 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2024/08/the-fda-just-cleared-a-new-device-that-stops-bleeding-from-gunshot-wounds-in-seconds

Made by Cresilon, Traumagel can stop bleeding from gunshot wounds and is being looked at for future uses by the Department of Defense.

]]>
Chemist explores the real-world science of Star Wars https://lifeboat.com/blog/2024/05/chemist-explores-the-real-world-science-of-star-wars Sat, 04 May 2024 03:26:44 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2024/05/chemist-explores-the-real-world-science-of-star-wars

A professor at the University of Warwick is exploring the chemistry of the galaxy far, far away this Star Wars Day, May the 4th.

Science fiction is meeting science fact, as Professor Alex Baker discusses the captivating inspiration real-world reactions have had on the Star Wars universe.

The chemist from the University of Warwick explores what may underpin the freezing of Han Solo, the colors of lightsabers, the reactions that power star ships and much more.

]]>
One of world’s smallest transparent fish roars as loud as gunshot https://lifeboat.com/blog/2024/02/one-of-worlds-smallest-transparent-fish-roars-as-loud-as-gunshot Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:31:40 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2024/02/one-of-worlds-smallest-transparent-fish-roars-as-loud-as-gunshot

This little fish emits noises as loud as a gunshot, topping 140 decibels.

One of the world’s smallest fish lives in Myanmar’s streams, and experts have been surprised by its high sound.

]]>
Hamas gunmen open fire on hundreds at music festival in southern Israel https://lifeboat.com/blog/2023/10/hamas-gunmen-open-fire-on-hundreds-at-music-festival-in-southern-israel Sun, 08 Oct 2023 19:29:10 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2023/10/hamas-gunmen-open-fire-on-hundreds-at-music-festival-in-southern-israel

During the surprise assault on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas Saturday, gunmen opened fire on hundreds of young people during a dance music festival in the southern Israeli kibbutz of Re’im near the Gaza Strip, according to the Associated Press and multiple Israeli media outlets.

Witnesses told the Times of Israel that rocket fire was followed by gunshots fired into the crowd, as hundreds tried to flee.

“The music stopped and there was a rocket siren,” a young woman called Ortal told Israel’s Channel 12, according to Reuters. “Suddenly out of nowhere, they started shooting.”

]]>
We BUILT a 4000° Lightsaber Staff (IT’S CORDLESS!) https://lifeboat.com/blog/2023/09/we-built-a-4000-lightsaber-staff-its-cordless Mon, 18 Sep 2023 01:23:08 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2023/09/we-built-a-4000-lightsaber-staff-its-cordless

Hacksmiths are continuing to improve their lightsaber designs.


If you have ever thought about starting your own business you should check out https://shopify.com/hacksmith. (Sponsored)
Pre-order the new Mini-Saber on our Shopify page and help us make a fully self contained Lightsaber ► https://www.Hacksmith.store.

Try Altium for Free! ► https://www.altium.com/asp/hacksmith.
Check out the circuit diagram ► https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/projects/hacksmith-industri…249d2ed85e.
Buy cheap PCBs ► $2 for 1–8 Layers PCBs & $54 New User Coupons: https://jlcpcb.com/?from=hacksmith. How to Get a $7 Coupon: https://3d.jlcpcb.com/?from=REB1
Bambu Lab Ultra Fast 3D Printer ► https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2282157&u=3693696&m=138211&urllink=&afftrack=
Carbon Fiber Nylon 3D printer filament ► https://us.store.bambulab.com/products/paht-cf.
GTT Laminar Flow Nozzle ► https://www.glasstorchtech.com/mirage.
Swagelok Ontario ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/swagelok-ontario-atlantic-canada.

COLLECTIBLES, TOOLS & ACCESSORIES ► https://www.Hacksmith.store.
Become a Hacksmith member and get exclusive perks! ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjgpFI5dU-D1-kh9H1muoxQ/join.

SOCIAL

]]>
New laser-based method could help scientists discover new puncture-resistant materials https://lifeboat.com/blog/2023/07/new-laser-based-method-could-help-scientists-discover-new-puncture-resistant-materials Mon, 03 Jul 2023 18:23:55 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2023/07/new-laser-based-method-could-help-scientists-discover-new-puncture-resistant-materials

A bullet piercing the protective armor of a first responder, a jellyfish stinging a swimmer, micrometeorites striking a satellite: High-speed projectiles that puncture materials show up in many forms. Researchers constantly aim to identify new materials that can better resist these high-speed puncture events, but it has been hard to connect the microscopic details of a promising new material to its actual behavior in real-world situations.

To address this issue, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have designed a method that uses a high-intensity laser to blast microscale projectiles into a small sample at velocities that approach the speed of sound. The system analyzes the energy exchange between the particle and the sample of interest at the micro level then uses scaling methods to predict the puncture resistance of the material against larger energetic projectiles, such as bullets encountered in real-world situations. This new method, described in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, reduces the need to perform a lengthy series of lab experiments with larger projectiles and bigger samples.

“When you’re investigating a for its protective applications, you don’t want to waste time, money and energy in scaling up your tests if the material doesn’t pan out. With our new method we can see earlier if it’s worth looking into a material for its protective properties,” said NIST chemist Katherine Evans.

]]>
The Science of The Expanse https://lifeboat.com/blog/2022/12/the-science-of-the-expanse Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:27:27 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2022/12/the-science-of-the-expanse

The Expanse is one of the seminal sci-fi shows of the past decade. Set centuries in the future when humans have colonized the solar system, it’s been called one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi shows of all time. But just how much does this hold up to scrutiny?

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF5F2zbc6NhJVyEiZGNyePQ/join.

Watch my video about the science of Star Trek’s phasers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0unFPbKrks.

Watch my video about the science of Star Wars’ lightsabers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5a7lHh9EpI

Written, directed, & edited by OrangeRiver.
Cinematography by PhobiaSoft https://www.youtube.com/phobiasoft.
Additional photography by OrangeRiver.

- Music in this video

]]>