electromagnetic

"Novel" receiver to protect electronics against electromagnetic pulse attack

A Malibu, CA company is developing a new system to protect military communication gear from high-power microwave weapons, nuclear blast generated electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and the mythic, directed-energy "e-bomb".

One nuclear airburst can unleash the EMP equivalent to 100,000 volts per square centimeter, frying computer, radar and communication equipment within hundreds of miles. It's possible to protect electronic circuitry from EMP with something called a Faraday cage, or covering it up with 1 inch mesh, grounded, copper chicken wire as they've done with FEMA headquarters; problem is-nothing gets out either, which defeats the purpose when … Read more

Sanyo's Nintendo-licensed Wiimote charger is Japan-only--for now

Finally, you can save on purchasing all those AA batteries weekly for your Wii remote. Nintendo has teamed with Sanyo in Japan to come up with a custom battery back based on its eneloop technology--a low self-discharge NiMH battery that charges on contact.

Rediscovering the classic American game of pinball

If you haven't played pinball in a while, it's time to find a local arcade that still has a sense of history, fish out some quarters, and get ready for seriously good times. A few days ago, I rediscovered the fun at the Lucky JuJu pinball museum and gallery in Alameda, Calif.

The CNET News.com multimedia team paid a visit for a story and found ourselves in the middle of one of the largest and most diverse collections of machines around. An affable guy named Michael Schiess owns the machines, operates the space, and is a walking … Read more

Photos: Got ghosts? You know who to call

When Sharon Leong conducts field work, she packs a digital camera, a thermometer and an electromagnetic field meter. She isn't a private detective or an electrician. Leong, a legal secretary by day, is an avid ghost hunter by night.

With those gizmos and many others in tow, Leong treks to reputedly haunted homes, battlefields, bars and hotels, gathering what she thinks may be evidence of a world beyond this earthly one. The pursuit of ghostly evidence has been a popular pastime for centuries. Now, instead of Ouija boards, ghost hunters are increasingly turning to high tech gear to assist … Read more

Gadget allergies: Our worst nightmare

Imagine being allergic to every single gadget on these pages.

According to this article in the Daily Mail, that nightmare is a reality for 39-year-old Briton Debbie Bird.

Bird says she experiences a severe allergic reaction when exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF). That means no cell phones, no microwave ovens, no computers, and even no cars in some cases. Bird is also sensitive to public Wi-Fi hotspots, which limits her possibilities for social outings.

Bird has experienced symptoms such as headaches, skin rashes, a burning sensation, and swollen eyelids when exposed to the electromagnetic fields created by today's technology. … Read more

EMF detector for peace of mind

Does it really work? That's anybody's guess. But given all the health scares that routinely make headlines, the "Cell Sensor" electromagnetic field detector will likely be a popular item for those who think of their mobile phones as a bodily appendage.

The gaussmeter--which, by the way, features a distinctly unscientific-looking logo--supposedly sounds an alarm when it detects certain emission levels from phones, computer monitors, TVs and the like, according to Red Ferret. Some of the skeptics at Crave have expressed their doubts, but we suspect that a good number of people will spring $40 even … Read more