Interdisciplinary Research Project to Explore the Potential for Developing Non-Lethal Weapons Based on Radiofrequency/Microwave Bioeffects

Abstract

Our research is to lay the foundation for developing non-lethal stunning/immobilizing weaponry based on radiofrequency (RF)/ microwave(MW) radiation by identifying RF/MW parameters potentially capable of selectively altering exocytosis, the process underlying neurotransmitter release and hence nervous system functioning. Major accomplishments included 1) assembling, characterizing and optimizing a free-space MW exposure system for assessing effects of exposures in the 1 to 6 GHz frequency range on exocytosis, using neurosecretory adrenal chromaffin cells as an in vitro model. Other accomplishments included implementing experimental approaches that wilt allow us to distinguish between non-thermal versus thermal effects of the exposures. The research was presented at one international meeting and has culminated in one manuscript that is under review. Personnel on the project included a neurobiologist and an electrical engineer as principal investigators, an associate engineer, one research assistant and two graduate students. The research has been transitioned into AFOSR grant FA9550-05-1-0308.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 31, 2006
Accession Number
ADA443237

Entities

People

  • Gale L. Craviso
  • Indira Chatterjee

Organizations

  • University of Nevada, Reno

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Absorption
  • Anechoic Chambers
  • Catecholamines
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Control Systems
  • Electric Fields
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Finite Difference Time Domain
  • Frequency
  • Instrumentation
  • Microwaves
  • Operating Systems
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Patterns
  • Radio Frequency

Readers

  • Neuroscience
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Research Science/Academic Research

Technology Areas

  • Space