Fighting fire with... electricity?
In the future, firefighters might douse blazes with a blast of electric current from a super-charged wand. How would that work?
Firefighters of the future might tackle raging flames not with a high-powered hose or foam extinguisher, but with an electric blast from a powerful wand. Here, a look at how it might work:
How do you put out fires using electricity?
A group of Harvard scientists discovered that large electrical fields can affect the shape of flames and even put them out completely. The science behind it is complex — and not fully understood — but involves charging soot particles in the flame and affecting their stability. "Shake that stability hard enough," says Clay Dillow at IO9, "and the flame collapses."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Does it work already?
Yes. The Harvard researchers connected a 600-watt amplifier to a "wand-like probe" and shot beams of electricity at a small fire. The flames were snuffed out almost instantly, and the experiment worked time and again. The scientists say the technology could be used for small, enclosed blazes, but would not be effective on large forest fires.
So electricity is better than water?
Its comparative efficacy hasn't been tested, but electricity is likely to be used as an alternative to, rather than a replacement for, traditional firefighting equipment. Firefighters would theoretically be able to clear a path through a larger fire using the electrical power-wand, or put out a small fire without causing water or foam damage to property. Harvard's researchers suggest it could be used on planes, in submarines, or onboard ships.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Are there any other benefits?
Such technology would be good for the planet, says Jaymi Heimbuch at Treehugger, as it would prevent the use of "environmentally damaging chemicals and foams." Plus, says Michael Trei at DVICE, it might rid New York City of "all those pesky fire hydrants" that prevent us parking wherever we like.
What might the wand look like?
We're picturing a "Harry Potter-style device," says Fox News, firing the kind of lightning bolts that held the fiery forces of Voldemort at bay. Actually, it's likely to be slightly bigger, says Mark Brown at Wired, with a scaled-down amplifier contained in "Ghostbusters-style backpacks."
Sources: Eurekalert, IO9, Fox News, DVICE, Wired
-
7 restaurants that beat winter at its own chilly game
The Week Recommends Classic, new and certain to feed you well
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: December 24, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 24, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published