WMcD Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 The pdf file in the next frame is in stead of the occasional weekend technical article I post. I admittedly stole the idea from a TV program. The experiment is to determine the effect of intense radio frequency fields on a CD-ROM. In this case it was an AOL disk from the junk mail. It was placed on a tea cup (Desert Rose pattern if you must know) in a 1 kW microwave oven (Kitchenaid). The microwave oven was set to full power. The effect was recorded with a Mavica camera in video mode. The microwave oven was undamaged, the teacup had a bit of plastic residue in the bottom. The CD ROM was rendered unplayable. This experiment should be taken to the next level. Unfortunately, my microwave does not have a turntable. Certainly three CDs on a rotating turntable would be impressive. Do not attempt this at home! It is potentially dangerous. You will need Acrobat 6 to view this. You needed the free upgrade anyway. Click on the video in the lower right corner. There is audio, too. Best, Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Enjoy. Microwave CD in pdf 6.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonfyr Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 Gosh Gil... What? No Flash movie???? You might want to stick a disclaimer on that post, as you KNOW some little boy out there is going to feel compelled to try this at home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meuge Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 It's absolutely safe. Most technology companies are using microwaves to destroy CDs with sensitive data. Heck, I've done it myself quite a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 since the metal reflects a bunch of microwaves it could both damage the oven and potentially leak out into the surrounding area. home microwave ovens are not designed for this type of usage, I niether recommend trying this at home nor using the microwvae at home after this type of treatment. fun to watch someone else doing it though! tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 The aluminum on the CD makes for a great show. NOT good for the microwave. And most technology companies use a shredder for their CDs. It jst scrapes all the aluminum off the polycarbonate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelerFan Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 I just know m00n wants to do this to all of my White Stripes CD's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 Ya know...it looks way cooler in person, film doesn't do it justice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted August 13, 2005 Author Share Posted August 13, 2005 I saw this sort of thing on Mythbusters on The Discovery Channel. So the world has it from that source. BTW it was part of their investigation on whether eel skin wallets demangnitize the mag stripe on credit cards. A sub issue was whether the wallets have any imbedded metal. The CD showed what a microwave does to metal. A wallet was untouched. Hence no metal. Another program on The Mythbusters annoyed the heck out of me. They addressed the purported myth that people die from urinating on the third-rail. After some experimentation with dummies (non living) they reached the conclusion this prank is not letal, and by implication, safe. I've seen stories and law suits very much to the contrary. Even if there is some doubt, it is far to risky to fool with. So that is what bugs the heck out of me. Some bunch of idiots are going to get drunk and then recreate what they saw on TV. I fear the worst. Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 What about the old lady that decided to dry out her poodle in the microwave?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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