X-ray guns are real, and they are being marketed to police officers and soldiers. The Mini Z could be used by law enforcement scan tires for bricks of cocaine or soldiers to scan bags for improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It works pretty much like an X-ray machine at an airport, except, of course, it can be carried around by single person. All a soldier needs to do is point it and press a button — the Mini Z emits low-level X-rays, and the resulting image shows up on a dedicated tablet. American Science and Engineering (AS&E), the company behind it, promises "fast, portable, real-time detection of hidden organic threats, such as drugs, contraband, plastic guns, ceramic knives, and explosives."
IN-DEPTH
- Holy Smokes! BATMAN Tests Google Glass for the U.S. Military
- How Military 'Smart Rifles' Could Change Modern Warfare
- Military Funds Brain-Computer Interfaces to Control Feelings (MIT Technology Review)