QinetiQ exploding ink could enable point-and-click fuses

UK defense contractor QinetiQ has filed a patent for an explosive ink that could allow fuses to be designed on a computer and then printed directly onto ordinary paper. The ink is stable when wet, and only becomes active when a current is fed through a metal strip placed on top of the printed fuse. Once the fuse is activated, it can be used to trigger just about any kind of explosive device, from fireworks to munitions. (We don't even want to know what happens if you get a paper jam.) Somehow, we expect the defense industry to do its best to keep this one under lock and key, and we sort of hope they succeed, if only so we can avoid having to wait as TSA officials disassemble our portable inkjet every time we pass through customs.

[furby @ Feb 8th 2006 12:23PM]

This message will self destruct in 5..4..3 (you know you were all thinking it)

Would static set it off?

[AH @ Feb 8th 2006 12:29PM]

I realize the photo to the right is just a stock photo, but could someone explain why the cone begins in midair?

[bill7437emtp @ Apr 9th 2009 8:13AM]

As a former Missile Technician on Trident II Submarines, I would like to give you a little insight on this. There are three types of bursts for any type of bomb (nuclear included), ground, air and subterrainian. The ground burst is used for maximum destruction at ground level and will destroy everything. An air burst will kill the occupants and leave structures standing. The airburst is particularly useful if you want to keep some of the infrastructure in place to eventually occupy that area. The subterrainian burst is usefull for taking out a hardened target such as a bunker. If you have a set grouping of explosions under and on the sides of a cemented bunker, it will cause the structure to emplode on itself.

[Rob @ Feb 8th 2006 12:39PM]

There's a paper jam.. Someone call Pam. we always get slammed with these paper jams. give it a good wham!!! I couldn't get Pam so I brought Gram. Why are we rhyming?

[Swifty_McNopants @ Feb 8th 2006 1:45PM]

The cone begins in midair because all nukes are detonated a couple hundred feet up from the ground. See http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/ for a lot more info.

[gosh_d @ Feb 8th 2006 1:56PM]

yeah, like #2, i think that picture's incredible looking. i'd love to know more about it. anyone know where/what it's from? thanks!

[Conglacio @ Feb 8th 2006 2:11PM]

can't you allready use a printer to make pcb thingies? If so, then a fuse is notmuch more.

[kc @ Feb 8th 2006 2:12PM]

This kind of gives entirely new meaning to the word mailbomb...I would hate to think what someone could do with this and one of those annoying watch battery powered birthday cards.

[Ben @ Feb 8th 2006 2:26PM]

The most lethal detonation of a atomic weapon (as in the most area of destruction) is in the air.

I forgot the distance from the ground to the detenation but I am sure you can google it.

[Dissent @ Feb 8th 2006 3:44PM]

Yeah, as #7 said, its an h-bomb detonated a few hundred feet off the ground.

[Dan @ Feb 8th 2006 6:26PM]

Bejaysus. High tech or what? But will it be low cost when it first gets onto the market?

[Poem58 @ Feb 8th 2006 11:32PM]

Finally Destructable TPS reports!

[Ali @ Nov 21st 2006 3:01PM]

Hmm I am lested for information here, what if the N-bomb explodes when it hits the ground what happens?