An invention with alarming overtones is the subject of two patents,
326,268 and 326,269, filed by Novatech Energy Systems of New York.
One patent shows a farmer holding a nozzle shaped like a pistol and
wearing a backpack with two cylindrical tanks. The tanks hold water
which is forced out through the nozzle by a pump. The water passes
through a unit which gives it an electrical charge. This is a
combination of direct and high-frequency, alternating currents, at high
voltages.
The nozzle produces two jets of water with opposite charges. When
someone directs the jets at a plant, current flows through the droplets
that fall on its leaves. The inventors say that a low current - less
than a milliamp - stimulates growth. At 5 milliamps, the water kills
insects. Tests on wheat and potato plants appear to support their
claims.
The second patent takes the idea an unpleasant stage further. The
inventors suggest that riot forces could use similar apparatus to
control crowds. The current can be switched between "sting mode", with
the jets charged to 1 or 2 milliamps, and "stun mode", with the charge
set at 20 milliamps. The weapon is silent, and its operator would not
have to be a good shot because it sprays a wide beam of charged water.
The system could be switched to "kill mode" and a charge of 100
milliamps or more sent through the water.
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End of SubGenius Digest
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