As technological advancements in chemical weaponry have helped protect entire societies, their disposal has also been harmful. Recently, scientist, Young Bae, from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has created an efficient way to dispose of chemical weapons using X-rays.

This weaponry was created with the intent to dispose of Syria’s chemical weapon arsenal. The research obtained funding through the sole intent of creating a portable device that would be able to neutralize chemical weapons. In such a device there are a variety of methods and parts that work together. One such part is retrieving X-rays from dense matter that exists only under extreme conditions similar to those found in stars. This matter’s pressure is used to put atoms together. Fused, the atoms create a Metastable Innershell Molecular State (MIMS). While in MIMS, the atoms begin to revert back to their original state releasing X-rays. In short, the energy created by extreme temperature and pressure conditions fuses atoms which will eventually release X-rays.

This technology would alter the state of warfare as well as safe chemical weapon disposal and for Bae’s work, the OPCW will receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Source: Baruch Ticker