Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Division of Physics and Astronomy have developed a less-than-lethal method for covertly creating adverse health effects in human subjects using particular waveforms.
Background:
Several less-than-lethal techniques for altering or influencing the behavior of target subjects without physical contact have been developed. These behavioral effects methods are of particular interest within the military and have been used to change the motivation and/or decrease the ability of test subjects. The engineering and integration of nonphysical less-than-lethal techniques can facilitate more efficient subject questioning and reduced interrogation times. Traditional nonphysical techniques rely on external stimuli to induce the desired effect in the test subject. While these methods have demonstrated success in altering behavior, they suffer from the fact that the subject generally may become aware of the external stimulus. As such, subjects can avoid the intended effect of the technique simply by taking evasive action (i.e., protecting their vision from a strobe light), greatly limiting the efficiency and applicability of these established methods. There remains an unmet need for a technique that is based on a covert stimulus to influence or alter the behavior of human subjects.
Innovation:
UCLA researchers have developed a novel less-than-lethal method for creating health effects in human subjects by directing undetectable waveforms toward the subject. This method might be capable of causing the “Havana Syndrome” a mysterious malady that has been extensively reported in the news media. The innovation is expected to overcome the major limitation associated with established nonphysical behavior-altering techniques, since those rely on an audible or visible stimuli to produce the desired effect. Using the reported method, the researchers expect that directing waveforms towards the test subject within a specific frequency range will induce adverse health effects without the subject’s awareness of the stimulus. The components used in the system are commonly available. The technology may also lead to the development of defenses against such stimuli.
Potential Applications:
- Covert stimulus
- Understanding the relationship between external stimuli and non-anatomical behavioral changes
- Inducing behavioral changes in animals (in laboratory and farm settings)
- Defense against “Havana Syndrome”
Advantages:
- Readily available components allow for modification of the invention for specific purposes
- Easily tunable electromagnetic wave frequencies
Development-To-Date:
First description of the complete invention, October 2022.
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2023-123
For more information please contact info@tdg.ucla.edu.