NASA's Optical Tweezer Will Bring the Imagined Tractor Beam to Rea
Omar Yusuf — November 5, 2011 — Tech
Proving the age-old adage “science-fiction informs science” to be wholeheartedly true, NASA’s Optical Tweezer hopes to bring the infamous tractor beam from Star Wars and Trek into the tangible real world.
Whereas script writers and game developers have already toyed with the idea of zero point technology, it’s up to NASA and its newly developed fund to determine the feasibility of tractor beams. The idea seems far-fetched: use some manner of force to either repel or attract a designated target in relation to the beam’s source, but a steadily growing fund of $100,000 is at the disposal of NASA and the agency intends to implement the famous Optical Tweezer technique so that the International Space Station’s crew can more easily ferry personnel and equipment onto the orbital dock. The Tweezer works by using a hollow laser beam to exploit minute differences in air pressure, ultimately dragging or pushing away the object.
For the time being, the Optical Tweezer only works with an atmosphere, which deep space surely lacks—it’ll only be a matter of time before we’re being dragged to the Moon by a single laser beam!
Whereas script writers and game developers have already toyed with the idea of zero point technology, it’s up to NASA and its newly developed fund to determine the feasibility of tractor beams. The idea seems far-fetched: use some manner of force to either repel or attract a designated target in relation to the beam’s source, but a steadily growing fund of $100,000 is at the disposal of NASA and the agency intends to implement the famous Optical Tweezer technique so that the International Space Station’s crew can more easily ferry personnel and equipment onto the orbital dock. The Tweezer works by using a hollow laser beam to exploit minute differences in air pressure, ultimately dragging or pushing away the object.
For the time being, the Optical Tweezer only works with an atmosphere, which deep space surely lacks—it’ll only be a matter of time before we’re being dragged to the Moon by a single laser beam!
Trend Themes
1. Zero Point Technology - The development of NASA's Optical Tweezer brings the concept of zero point technology, like tractor beams, closer to reality.
2. Optical Tweezer Technique - NASA's Optical Tweezer technique, using a hollow laser beam, has the potential to revolutionize transportation and docking in space.
3. Laser Beam Propulsion - The use of laser beams for propulsion and maneuvering has disruptive innovation potential in the space industry.
Industry Implications
1. Space Technology - The development of Optical Tweezer and related zero point technologies opens new opportunities for advancements in space technology.
2. Transportation - The Optical Tweezer technique could bring disruptive innovation to transportation systems, leading to more efficient and effortless movement of personnel and equipment.
3. Aerospace - The advancement of laser beam propulsion and Optical Tweezer technology can heavily impact the aerospace industry, enabling new possibilities for space exploration and travel.
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