Doctor Who's trusty invention is anything but sci-fi 7 December 2010 Television's favourite Time Lord could not exist Doctor Who and DIY fans may still have to wait without his trusty sonic screwdriver, as it's proved before they can add the sonic screwdriver to their priceless in defeating Daleks and keeping the Christmas wish lists. However, Professor Tardis in check. Now Doctor Who's famous cure-all Drinkwater hopes his work to make the impossible gadget could become a reality for DIY-ers across possible will inspire engineers, technologists and the world, say engineers. inventors of the future. Ultrasonic engineers at Bristol University and The "Doctor Who's adventures have captured the Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair imaginations of millions, young and old. And, are uncovering how a real life version of the however far fetched the Time Lord's encounters fictional screwdriver - which uses sonic technology may seem, there are engineers and scientists out to open locks and undo screws - could be created. there who are using their skills to bring the magic to life. Professor of Ultrasonics, Bruce Drinkwater, who is working with The Big Bang to inspire young "The sonic screwdriver may still be sometime in the scientists of the future, says the answer lies in making but ultrasonic technology is already making ultrasonic sound waves. By operating the waves at its mark in the medical and manufacturing arenas frequencies way beyond the realms of human with some exciting results." hearing, they can be used to apply forces to objects. Professor Drinkwater has teamed up with The Big Bang, one of the UK's biggest celebrations of The technology is already being trialled in modern science and engineering, to inspire young people manufacturing to fix parts together and ultrasonic from all walks of life. force fields are being developed within the medical field to separate diseased cells from healthy cells. Taking place at ICC London ExCeL from 10 -- 12 Professor Drinkwater and The Big Bang team are March 2011, The Big Bang offers young people the now exploring whether super powerful versions of chance to take part in a host of free interactive these sound beams could bring Doctor Who's shows and workshops including Sky One's Brainiac iconic device to life. Live! and BBC One's Bang Goes the Theory. It is also the ideal place to find out about the exciting He says: "Doctor Who is renowned for bending the career options available in science and rules of science. But technology has radically engineering. The Big Bang hosts the finals of the moved on since the Doc first stepped out of his prestigious National Science & Engineering Tardis in the sixties. Whilst a fully functioning time Competition and also kicks off National Science & machine may still be light years away, engineers Engineering Week 2011. are already experimenting with ultrasonic waves to move and manipulate small objects." More information: www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/home.cfm Engineers are looking into how ultrasonic waves can be spun at high speed to create a twisting force similar to that of a miniature tornado, which could undo screws remotely. They have also Provided by University of Bristol experimented with rotating ultrasonic force fields which would act like the head of a real screwdriver. 1 / 2 APA citation: Doctor Who's trusty invention is anything but sci-fi (2010, December 7) retrieved 30 September 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2010-12-doctor-trusty-sci-fi.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. 2 / 2 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org).