Scientists have developed a groundbreaking new system that uses subatomic particles to provide valuable insights into volcanoes and aid in search-and-rescue missions. The system, known as the Muometric Wireless Navigation System (MuWNS), utilizes cosmic ray by-products to create the world’s first underground GPS system.
The MuWNS works by scanning for ultrafast subatomic particles called muons, which are produced when cosmic rays hit Earth’s upper atmosphere. These muons have a structure similar to electrons and are 207 times more abundant than them. Nearly a million muons pass harmlessly through our bodies each night at nearly the speed of light.
Unlike traditional GPS systems, which are weaker at higher altitudes and struggle to function underground, the MuWNS can penetrate solid objects like pyramids, volcanoes, and the fiery cores of nuclear reactors. By triangulating the position of a receiver buried deep underground, the system can accurately determine its location.
The researchers behind the MuWNS believe that the technology can be miniaturized to fit devices like smartphones, making it even more accessible and versatile. They published their findings on June 15 in the journal iScience.
According to Hiroyuki Tanaka, a professor of geophysics at the University of Tokyo and the first author of the study, traditional GPS signals are weak and easily blocked by small obstacles, making them unreliable in certain environments. The MuWNS overcomes these limitations and opens up new possibilities for monitoring volcanoes and assisting in search-and-rescue missions.
The MuWNS is an evolution of an earlier system called the Muometric Positioning System (muPS), which was developed to detect changes in the sea floor caused by tectonic or volcanic activity. Similar to a GPS with satellites in the sky, the muons technology involves passing through four surface reference stations before reaching a receiving station on the ocean floor.
To calculate the travel time of the muons between the reference and receiving stations, the researchers connected five detectors that could share the time difference between them. To simplify the system and avoid cumbersome wiring, high-precision quartz clocks were used to synchronize the reference and receiving stations with GPS before transmitting underground.
The development of the MuWNS represents a significant advancement in the field of geophysics and search-and-rescue operations. By harnessing the power of subatomic particles, scientists are now able to gain valuable insights into volcanoes and potentially save lives in emergency situations. As the technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, its impact is expected to grow even further.
true or false: (basic) shield volcanoes are mostly associated with pyroclastic flows
R reactors. It utilizes the penetrating power of muons to map the interior structures of these objects with incredible accuracy.
The MuWNS is particularly valuable in the context of volcanoes, as it allows scientists to monitor the activity and internal conditions of these volatile formations in real-time. By placing detectors in strategic locations near volcanoes, the system can track the movement and behavior of muons as they pass through the Earth’s crust. Variations in the muon flux can provide insights into the density and composition of the volcanic material, as well as detect changes in magma chambers and potential signs of impending volcanic eruptions. This information is crucial for predicting and managing volcanic hazards, enabling researchers to issue timely warnings and ensure the safety of nearby communities.
In addition to its applications in volcano monitoring, the MuWNS also holds great potential in search-and-rescue missions. Its ability to penetrate solid obstructions makes it highly valuable in locating survivors trapped in underground or debris-filled environments. By deploying muon detectors in disaster areas, rescue teams can accurately map the structural layout of collapsed buildings or other hazardous structures. This data can then be used to identify void spaces where survivors may be trapped, guiding search efforts and increasing the chances of successful rescues.
The MuWNS represents a significant advancement in the field of underground mapping and navigation. Its utilization of subatomic particles like muons allows for unparalleled imaging capabilities that overcome the limitations of traditional GPS systems. By harnessing the power of cosmic ray by-products, this groundbreaking system has the potential to revolutionize the way we understand volcanoes and carry out search-and-rescue operations.
This groundbreaking technology harnessing subatomic particles has the potential to revolutionize volcano monitoring and rescue missions. An exciting and promising leap forward in the field of navigation systems.