You lot keep promising me freakin' sharks with freakin' lasers on their heads but haven't delivered. Snap to it boys I want one for my... umm.... aquarium, yeah aquarium that's it /cue evil laughter =P.

.... and talk to the Boffins at Fraunhofer.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/27/diamondballs_bling_hardness_dip_for_bearings/

No Phase Plasma rifle in the 40-Watt range?

Also, the "bucket-o-sunshine" description of a nuke made me chuckle, what other phrases are used to describe instant death by nuke?

The military come up with some wonderful phrases to try and sanitize killing, maiming or just blowing shit up. For instance, "Friendly Fire" to describe killing your own side. Anyone got any others?

Back on topic, my guess is that a optically correct diamond, 2.5 inches across would cost a bit to make, if indeed it can currently be made.

What's with the sharks with lasers obsession?

Just an observation, but sharks scare people, and they tend to move away from them very quickly!! Why not mount the lasers on dolphins instead, they'd have a much better chance of getting close up before blasting bad guys (and girls) right between the eyes! :-D

would that be a laaser?

or RTF?

Paris, because even she knows about PDFs.

How many 'D' cells does it take?

Hmm, I spot a disadvantage with the Dolphin plan as well, what they really need is a semi aquatic mammal for land/sea roles here..

How about um...

Beavers with frikkin lasers?

Paris, beaver?

I for one welcome our lazer headed shark-type overlords.... when they arrive, that is.

@ Pad: my favourite so far is "suicide by cop". Always brings a smile!

Maybe they should get Microsoft to supply the diamonds ...

Oooppss Sorry you got Cubit Zirconia's Programming error Bang

You'd think that with the massive economic problems currently facing the US, the powers-at-be would call a halt to R&D of such exotic weaponry. As Rep. Ron Paul said this week "...the problem is nobody wants to cut the American Empire, even Obama's Administration wants to increase spending overseas and increase military spending. As long as you want to run the World Empire... you cannot solve this problem."

Transparent Aluminium is just about here courtesy of 3M

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_alumina

Ah, those 3M guys. Is there anything they cant' do?

No, they won't be having any problems keeping *those* in stock.

// Paris, because she'd like one

This wins for phrase of the week. Thanks

I can see the coppers getting this right after the military. Stops all those pesky car chases.

Does the warranty on this gear involve a loan shark?