For the robotics experts/mathematicians on the list:
Here are the basic ingredients:
Chinese medicine balls and wooden bowls.
See the following:
http://www.ifeden.com/1.gif
http://www.vtonly.com/k1007.htm
Wooden bowls + Chinese medicine balls = ballistic accelerator
I purchase the balls from the following vendor for $1/ball.
Beauty Jewelry & Gifts Co.
1021 Grant Ave. No. 2
San Fancisco, CA 94133
Tel: (415) 421-1318
Fax: (415) 398-8848
I purchase the wooden bowls from various suppliers.
By changing the cut of the bowl so that it's greater than 180 degrees, the bowl becomes an acceleration chamber.
Now, with the addition of small pc-controlled agitators and some feedback sensors, the agitation of the bowl can be precisely timed to generate the maximum amount of acceleration of the balls for the minimum amount of energy input.
How quickly can the balls be accelerated?
Can the bowl be moved in such a way as to precisely aim the balls at a specific target?
How much will it cost to get all the necessary interface hardware and software such that DEA agents can be held at bay from approximately 1 mile?
Just curious.
geek@ifeden.com