[2] At a brainstorming session in 2007, to think of solutions for malaria, Wood, one of the architects of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as "Star Wars", suggested designing a system to kill mosquitoes with lasers.
[citation needed] The laser, humorously referred to by some as a WMD (Weapon of Mosquito Destruction), works effectively at a range of 100 feet (approx.
As of early 2008, Intellectual Venture's prototype consisted of a hand-held laser, capable of shooting down mosquitoes in limited numbers.
[1] The Intellectual Ventures scientists once suggested attaching a mosquito laser system to a small flying drone so that it could patrol the air.
[citation needed] The device works by using infra-red light-emitting diode (LED) lamps on a fence post to create a field of light.
This field of light reflects from retroreflective material on another fence post, much like that used on roads and highway signs, and bounces back to its source.
[5] In a video published by Intellectual Ventures, the mosquito's wings appear to wither, shrivel up and the body drops to the floor, often motionless.
[4] The Photonic Fence is thought to be best deployed surrounding buildings, such as hospitals and schools, or even whole villages, in an effort to reduce the spread of malaria.
When the device is looking for mosquitoes that pass its field of vision, it uses basic infra-red LEDs, and light sensors from modern digital cameras.
To target and kill the mosquitoes it uses similar laser technology found in optical devices such as DVD, or Blu-ray disc drives.
[4] The risk for collateral damage is minimized because the prototype checks the target and the kill-laser is barely strong enough to destroy mosquito tissue.