If you’re a Doctor Who fan, chances are at some point, you’ve wanted a sonic screwdriver, the Doctor’s most handy accessory. But the technology behind it is so crazy that it could never really happen, right? It’s like wanting a lightsaber or a hoverboard or a Nexus-6 pleasure model; great science-fiction, but not going to happen in the foreseeable future.
Well what if I told you the good people at Bristol University in England were working on creating a real-life sonic screwdriver? The possibilities are being explored by a team of ultrasonic engineers led by Bruce Drinkwater, professor of ultrasonics, in tandem with a team from The Big Bang (a science and engineering fair aimed at inspiring young people to work in the sciences).
The screwdriver would work by using ultrasonic sound waves to move small objects. The engineers are looking into whether they can produce high-speed twisting forces, which could potentially undo a screw without ever touching it. They’re also looking at rotating force fields created by ultrasonic sound waves, functioning in much the same way as the head of an actual screwdriver. And don’t worry, these sound wave frequencies would be much too high to be heard by human ears, so you won’t lose your hearing trying to operate one of them.
Obviously, it’s not going to happen anytime soon. We could be looking at a few generations of scientists working on this before it ever happens, if it happens. And it seems like it would only function as a screwdriver instead of doing all the other things the gadget does on the show… but one thing at a time. And besides, developing a screwdriver that works without any physical contact is pretty incredible as it is. Oh Science, when you’re done with that, could you get to work on building me a proper, functioning TARDIS? Bigger on the inside and all that? Thanks.
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