Cell Phone Radiation Detectors Proposed to Protect Against Nukes 238
crosshatch brings us news out of Purdue University, where researchers are developing a radiation detection system that would rely on sensors within cell phones to locate and track potentially hazardous material. From the Purdue news service:
"Such a system could blanket the nation with millions of cell phones equipped with radiation sensors able to detect even light residues of radioactive material. Because cell phones already contain global positioning locators, the network of phones would serve as a tracking system, said physics professor Ephraim Fischbach. 'The sensors don't really perform the detection task individually,' Fischbach said. 'The collective action of the sensors, combined with the software analysis, detects the source. Say a car is transporting radioactive material for a bomb, and that car is driving down Meridian Street in Indianapolis or Fifth Avenue in New York. As the car passes people, their cell phones individually would send signals to a command center, allowing authorities to track the source.'"
Impractical? (Score:4, Interesting)
Now to the important part. Would it really work? If it did, how easy would it be to hack the system? Mandated communication equals easy virus spread? How many false alarms? Would it promote overconfidence and lax insecurity?
Is this a good idea? I'm not sure. If it prevented a nuclear explosion in a major city that would obviously be a great thing, but what if it made us fail to do so? What if it takes funds that could have been used for more effective measures, and wastes it? There are too many questions about this.
So, is it impractical?
Re:And these things *always* protect civil liberti (Score:5, Interesting)
And for those with Prostrate/thyroid cancer? (Score:5, Interesting)
Some young women are treated with Iodine 125 to treat overactive thyroids. "Ok now the bomb is headed to The Gap, no - now it's going to Forever 21."
What's next? (Score:3, Interesting)
Also, when will it become a crime not to have your Personal Surveillance Device with you?
Re:Global positioning? (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Who's going to pay? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:And for those with Prostrate/thyroid cancer? (Score:2, Interesting)
Who the fuck hates someone for their freedom? What sort of insane world do you live in?