Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web.

While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous.

Join our community today!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Liquid Nitrogen Weapon?
Topic Started: Feb 29 2012, 05:24 AM (3,455 Views)
zaktan
Member Avatar
Adolescent
 *  *  *  *  *
This isn't really a practical idea, more of a '' fun '' weapon concept. What if there was a weapon that fired liquid nitrogen like a flamethrower?
Advantages would be that it makes body armor brittle and freezes people and gives them burns, like a normal flamethrower. How would it look like?
I'm assuming that technology is somewhat more advanced when making this weapon, maybe there would be a supercooling unit on the user's back that condenses nitrogen from the air to be used. ( or are there alternative gases that can be used? )

inb4 new tf2 class ''cyro''
Posted Image
Posted Image

[ My DeviantART ]

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lamna
Member Avatar


This sounds rather pointless. Flame-throwers are damned unpleasant weapons, no only for the enemy but the person using the weapon as well. Their utility is limited and the public does not respond well to them.

This sounds like it would have all the disadvantages of a flame-thrower with the added trouble of keeping it cool. It would have to be vehicle mounted to be of any practical use, and I don't see how a machine gun couldn't do the same job at greater range and taking up less space.

Sorry but I don't like this idea at all.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural


34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Spugpow
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Maybe it could be used as an easier-to-control defoliant.
My deviantart page: http://amnioticoef.deviantart.com/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
T.Neo
Member Avatar
Translunar injection: TLI
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Bad idea. It won't freeze people, it'll give them burns... but it'll evaporate pretty quickly, spill on the ground, etc (remember, napalm is specially formulated to stick to surfaces- good luck getting boiling liquid nitrogen to do this :P ).

I would imagine the energy requirement from liquifying nitrogen (but somehow not oxygen :| ) would be highly problematic.

Perhaps it could work as a defoliant, though I wonder whether a practical, carry-able amount would be useful. Perhaps it would be better for use on some kind of land vehicle as a mounted defoliant system.
A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lamna
Member Avatar


You would also lose some of the psychological advantages of a flame-thrower. Part of the point of them is the enemy will be so scared of being covered in fire that they will run away or surrender.

Even if it causes the same amount of damage, cold does not induce that same primal fear fire does.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural


34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Kamidio
Member Avatar
The Game Master of the SSU:NC
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
I'd be pretty damn terrified if my arm froze solid and shattered like glass.
SSU:NC - Finding a new home.
Posted Image
Quotes
WAA
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lamna
Member Avatar


Quote:
 
Uxbridge: By God, sir, I've lost my leg!
Wellington: By God, sir, so you have!


Having a limb blown off can be fairly traumatic. It's nothing compared to covered in fire that won't go out even if you somehow remember to roll.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural


34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
T.Neo
Member Avatar
Translunar injection: TLI
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Quote:
 
I'd be pretty damn terrified if my arm froze solid and shattered like glass.


That won't happen though. The biggest worry would be frostbite.
A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
whachamacallit2
Member Avatar
Guy who yells at squirrels
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Fakey
Feb 29 2012, 03:40 PM
I'd be pretty damn terrified if my arm froze solid and shattered like glass.
True, but a large caliber bullet would be able to tear someone's arm off in any case, except that the bullet would make it a lot more gory and horrifying.
Click for shameless self plug!
Spoiler: click to toggle

Get you one at http://whachamacallit1.deviantart.com/

Learn the life, history, and fate of the tidally locked planet Asteria at: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5725927/1
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ànraich
Member Avatar
L'évolution Spéculative est moi

Fakey
Feb 29 2012, 03:40 PM
I'd be pretty damn terrified if my arm froze solid and shattered like glass.
Liquid nitrogen doesn't work like it does in movies man. It doesn't really work at all. Your skin is over 200 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the liquid gas, it will evaporate instantly. Observe:



It can be dangerous if you submerge a body part in it for an extend period of time, but only in the sense that you'll get freezer burn. You can't ever make living flesh as brittle as glass.
We should all aspire to die surrounded by our dearest friends. Just like Julius Caesar.

"The Lord Universe said: 'The same fate I have given to all things from stones to stars, that one day they shall become naught but memories aloft upon the winds of time. From dust all was born, and to dust all shall return.' He then looked upon His greatest creation, life, and pitied them, for unlike stars and stones they would soon learn of this fate and despair in the futility of their own existence. And so the Lord Universe decided to give life two gifts to save them from this despair. The first of these gifts was the soul, that life might more readily accept their fate, and the second was fear, that they might in time learn to avoid it altogether." - Excerpt from a Chanagwan creation myth, Legends and Folklore of the Planet Ghar, collected and published by Yieju Bai'an, explorer from the Celestial Commonwealth of Qonming

Tree That Owns Itself
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lamna
Member Avatar


Then it is settled. It wouldn't work as hoped, and if it did the use of such a weapon ought to be against the rules of war. Damned un-English way to kill a man.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural


34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
T.Neo
Member Avatar
Translunar injection: TLI
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Quote:
 
You can't ever make living flesh as brittle as glass.


Sure you can... if you chop it off the organism and submerge it into a cryogenic fluid for long enough. :lol:
A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
zaktan
Member Avatar
Adolescent
 *  *  *  *  *
Thanks for the feedback guys! This was sort of a joke suggestion, my friend said he wanted to be cyrokinetic and I told him to go around with a tank of liquid nitrogen and freeze people...
Posted Image
Posted Image

[ My DeviantART ]

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply