Doctor Who sonic screwdriver could become real device

Amplify’d from www.telegraph.co.uk

Doctor Who's trusted sonic screwdriver could become a real-life tool following research being conducted by British engineers.

Engineers have developed a device that is capable of moving and manipulating objects using only ultrasonic sound waves. They say the technology could eventually lead to devices that can undo screws, assemble electronics and putting together delicate components. The news will no doubt delight young fans of Doctor Who who have dreamed of owning a sonic screwdriver of their own after watching their hero use the tool to get himself out of many sticky situations.

But while the Doctor’s device can perform a multitude of tasks from cutting, burning, welding, sending signals, controlling the TARDIS, altering mobile phones and healing wounds, the researchers warn their real life sonic screwdriver will have more limited capabilities. Professor Bruce Drinkwater, an ultrasonics engineer at the University of Bristol, said: “We have developed a device that allows us to use ultrasonicforces to move small objects like biological cells around to sort them or to assemble them. “We are using quite low forces to do this because we don’t want to damage the objects we are moving, but the technology is definitely real and there is potential to turn it into something like Dr Who’s sonic screwdriver. “If we can increase the ultrasonic force and create a rotational force, then we could potentially undo screws. Essentially what you are doing is using the ultrasonic sound wave to twirl the air around to create an miniature tornado.” Read more at www.telegraph.co.uk