A hand-cranked X-ray machine made from Scotch tape!

[ryanmercer]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_sc/sci_scotch_tape_surprise

Transparent tape can make you transparent. 50 years ago, Russian scientists discovered that peeling Scotch tape can produce X-rays, but researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have found that peeling Scotch tape in a vacuum can produce enough X-rays to be used like an electronic X-ray machine costing thousands of dollars. They believe inexpensive hand-cranked X-ray machines can be made by enclosing rolls of Scotch tape in vacuum chambers and be used where electricity is scarce. Scotch tape doesn't emit X-rays in air, so there's no need to wear a lead apron when scrapbooking.

 

[Scutter01]

I always wondered why you could see right through Scotch Tape.

 

[Crystalship1]

Linky no worky.

 

[spasmo]

Tape measure: X-rays detected from Scotch tape - Yahoo! News

 

[Crystalship1]

Tape measure: X-rays detected from Scotch tape - Yahoo! News

Thanks!! That's pretty cool!

Did you catch where UCLA researchers were applying for patents? If they are employed by UCLA why would they want to restrict this simple technology that could be of use to poorer peoples by getting a patent? I thought the UCLA (being part of Liberalfornia) would be all "touchy-feely" about helping without profiting??

 

[Scutter01]

Patents don't necessarily mean profit. By patenting it themselves, they can develop the technology and then release it for free if they wanted to. If someone else patents it first, then they lose access to it.

 

[Crystalship1]

Patents don't necessarily mean profit. By patenting it themselves, they can develop the technology and then release it for free if they wanted to. If someone else patents it first, then they lose access to it.

Ahhhhh....... OK then. I guess time will tell.

"Yer sow smort"!!!

 

[emclean]

He suggests that with some refinements, the process might be harnessed for making inexpensive X-ray machines for paramedics or for places where electricity is expensive or hard to get.

great in theory, but it lacks the control needed for medical useful images.
also the energy needed to x-ray the chest cavaty is A LOT more than needed for a finger.

 

[ryanmercer]

great in theory, but it lacks the control needed for medical useful images.
also the energy needed to x-ray the chest cavaty is A LOT more than needed for a finger.

Yes, but the fact that something in the scotch tape releases x-rays when being peeled in a vacuum... tells them where to start looking.

 

[emclean]

i would hate to be the guy in the vacume cranking on the scotch tape.....