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A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

spectrum.ieee.org

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Re: A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

#11

Post by globalise83 »

gcanyon wrote: post #5

This article on society 5.0 doesn't mention lasers. Anyone have info on why ultra-powerful lasers are critical to specifically this plan for the future? https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/society5_0/index.html

If you look at the document linked at the bottom of the page you shared: https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/kihonkeikaku/5basicplan_en.pdf

it mentions the following list of priorities for the plan, and with a bit of creativity it is possible to imagine ways how cheap, powerful, compact lasers could benefit each of them in turn. Probably, and more mundanely, the researchers are doing their best to justify their research grants by connecting the outcomes to the political priorities of the day.

"Hence, Japan will consolidate the following fundamental technologies in particular, which function as core technologies in the real world, for new value creation in individual systems. - Robotics: technology expected to be used in various fields such as communication, social service/work assistance, and manufacturing - Sensor technology: technology that collects information from humans and all kinds of “things” - Actuator technology: technology related to activating mechanism, drive, and control devices in the real world, as well as the results of information processing and analysis obtained in cyberspace - Biotechnology: technology transforming sensor and actuator technologies - Human interface technology: technology using augmented reality, affective engineering, neuroscience, etc. - Material/nanotechnology: technology that leads to differentiated systems through enhanced functionality of various components, such as innovative structural materials and new functional materials - Light/quantum technology: technology that leads to differentiated systems through enhanced functionality of various components, such as innovative measuring techniques, information/energy transfer technology, and processing technology."

Re: A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

#13

Post by big_man_ting »

aqme28 wrote: post #7

A society in which "the average car-buyer" has a tiny portable steel-melting laser is a society where I'm wearing welding goggles every time I leave the house. And I'm not sure how you even lock a bike or a door or a safe any more.

This is a terrifying prospect indeed, especially being located in the Netherlands, plenty bikes are getting stolen left and right already.

But I guess this is inevitable, so we'll just have to devise better solutions than the simple locks which in their working principles have not changed in the past 100+ years.

Great market opportunity around the corner I suppose.

Re: A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

#16

Post by boxed »

big_man_ting wrote: post #13
aqme28 wrote: post #7

A society in which "the average car-buyer" has a tiny portable steel-melting laser is a society where I'm wearing welding goggles every time I leave the house. And I'm not sure how you even lock a bike or a door or a safe any more.

This is a terrifying prospect indeed, especially being located in the Netherlands, plenty bikes are getting stolen left and right already. But I guess this is inevitable, so we'll just have to devise better solutions than the simple locks which in their working principles have not changed in the past 100+ years. Great market opportunity around the corner I suppose.

Plenty of locks are mostly just for show anyway. See Lockpicking Lawyers youtube channel.

Re: A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

#17

Post by sarchertech »

aqme28 wrote: post #7

A society in which "the average car-buyer" has a tiny portable steel-melting laser is a society where I'm wearing welding goggles every time I leave the house. And I'm not sure how you even lock a bike or a door or a safe any more.

There are already so many ways to defeat locks, that locks are just there to keep honest people honest and to slow down criminals.

The laser in the article took 30 seconds to cut a a tiny disc out of a sheet of steel 100 micrometers thick. That isn’t going to change things on the theft front. There are much more effective methods available today.

Re: A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

#18

Post by RecycledEle »

aqme28 wrote: post #7

A society in which "the average car-buyer" has a tiny portable steel-melting laser is a society where I'm wearing welding goggles every time I leave the house. And I'm not sure how you even lock a bike or a door or a safe any more.

The same can be said of BB guns that can put out eyes, lock picks that can open locked doors, and bolt cutters than can break chains.

More powerful tools are a good thing.

Re: A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

#19

Post by coder543 »

xavieralexandre wrote: post #2

The article rightly points out the industrial impact of more powerful and compact lasers but I cannot wait for those PCSELs to reach the small workshop market. Having a cheap laser able to cut metal at home / small shops would be so useful (And sneakily dangerous as lasers are).

Can you expand on why you think this would be so great for home workshops? How do you envision using the laser? Handheld, mounted, or on a CNC?

Re: A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel

#20

Post by dnpls »

boxed wrote: post #16
big_man_ting wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a terrifying prospect indeed, especially being located in the Netherlands, plenty bikes are getting stolen left and right already. But I guess this is inevitable, so we'll just have to devise better solutions than the simple locks which in their working principles have not changed in the past 100+ years. Great market opportunity around the corner I suppose.

Plenty of locks are mostly just for show anyway. See Lockpicking Lawyers youtube channel.

Yes, but the average bike thief is looking for an easy steal and will avoid wasting time on a locked bike. Bikes in the Netherlands usually have 2 locks (a wheel lock and an extra chain), so thieves will usually move on from those first. A portable laser might allow a thief to steal even previously safer bikes just because it makes it quicker and silent (I'm assuming both).
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