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10 strange and dangerous uses for lasers

Shark
Courtesy of Nerd Approved

 We all know that lasers hold tremendous potential for all kinds of useful gadgetry. However, they can also be used for dangerous weapons and bizarre, pointless devices — and few are more pointlessly dangerous than ones featured in this list.

Real lightsaber
A few years ago, WickedLasers got into a bit of hot water with Lucasfilm over comparisons that were made between its Spyder Arctic III laser and a real lightsaber. Unfortunately for Lucasfilm, that experience did nothing but put ideas into WickedLaser's heads. Now the company has released the "LaserSaber" — a device that looks and acts like the weapons featured in the "Star Wars" films. Basically, it's a Spyder III laser with a 32-inch polycarbonate blade and an anodized aluminum base. A "magnetic gravity system" allows users to power up and power down the blade just like in the films. Supposedly, the blade shines brightly even in the daylight — which is why it is recommended that you wear the protective glasses they provide. Also, never use it around people or kittens — even if they're Jedi. $389 and up — Wicked Lasers via Nerd Approved

Saw blade crossbow
This homemade saw blade crossbow with laser targeting by Patrick Priebe not only puts safety last, it shoots it in the kneecaps so it can never catch up. It fires small circular saw blades at up to 6,000 rpm using a lithium-ion powered motor. A 30 mW green laser aids in targeting. Laser Gadgets via Nerd Approved

Working Star Trek phaser
While you probably can't set this modified toy Star Trek phaser to "kill," it could probably blind a target or give them some nasty burns. Plus, it looks really impressive if your Enterprise has a fog machine. Nerd Approved

Laser dominoes
In the video above Scott Stevenson pops 100 balloons with a Spyder III 750 mW Krypton laser. It's kind of like the high-tech version of domino toppling. My only wish is that 100 clowns were holding the balloons because each time they popped it would make a clown sad. Stupid clowns. CubicleBot

Palm-mounted laser
This palm-mounted 1,000 mW laser designed by Patrick Priebe is about as close as you'll get to reproducing Iron Man's repulsor beam. But don't think about starting your own version of the Avengers just yet — you're still going to need a high-tech suit. That having been said, this guy just might be the real Tony Stark. Laser Gadgets via Fashionably Geek

Helmet
Courtesy of Nerd Approved

Predator helmet with tri-lasers
Master crafter Mike Loh created this custom Predator helmet titled “Bone Hunter Primal Eldar.” The helmet  features meshed metal with tinted mirror lenses, hand-painted resin fiberglass and the signature red tri-lasers. Unfortunately, harnessing terror of this magnitude won't come cheap. $1050 — Etsy via Fashionably Geek










Portal
Courtesy of Nerd Approved

Portal turret replica
Ryan Palser created a real-life turret replica from the Portal series that stands 38-inches tall and features a working laser, motion-sensing audio and a dedicated button for playing the Portal theme song. Thankfully, no machine guns are included so there is no need to worry about being politely blown away in the middle of the night. Ryan Palser via Nerd Approved


OPMOD battle mug
The OPMOD Battle mug from Optics Planet “combines three Mil-Spec 1913 scope rails and a block of CNC-machined 6061 T6 billet aluminum with the capacity to hold a sizable 24 ounces of your favorite frothy beverage.” Thanks to the rails, you can deck out your mug with all manner of foregrips, night vision, and laser sights. With laser targeting, you'll have a much easier time getting the delicious payload to its target after a night of drinking. Optics Planet via That’s Nerdalicious

Laser popcorn maker
As the video above illustrates, lasers aren't exactly the most efficient means of making popcorn. That's Nerdalicious

Speech-jamming gun
Japanese researchers have developed a device that is capable of "jamming" persons voice — effectively shutting them up when you're tired of listening to their annoying words. The concept is actually fairly simple — point the gun at the target's mouth using a laser sight, and a direction-sensitive microphone and speaker captures their voice and plays it back at them with a delay. If you've ever experienced feedback like hearing your own voice while talking on a cell phone, you know how disruptive that can be. Of course, the designers behind it have proposed all kinds of noble uses for the device, but we all know that commercial version would only be employed for evil. Arxiv

Shark
Courtesy of Nerd Approved

Sharks with frickin' lasers
Recently, WickedLasers realized Dr. Evil's dream of a shark with frickin' lasers. The 50 mW laser isn't attached to its head, so it falls a little short on accuracy, but I don't think many people will argue with a high-tech underwater killing machine. Wicked Lasers via Nerd Approved

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