Super science & crowd control

An article from back in March that some of you might have seen at new scientist.com tells of a new type of non-lethal riot weapon which fire bursts of plasma. This plasma explodes when it hits something solid, like a person. It causes intense pain and may even knock you down, but isn't supposed to do any lasting damage. Of course, as fantastic as all this sounds for those who need decent crowd control and are frustrated with the old water-hose/shoot a few method, not everyone is pleased with the idea..
From article:

Amanda Williams, a clinical psychologist at University College London, fears that victims risk long-term harm. "Persistent pain can result from a range of supposedly non-destructive stimuli which nevertheless change the functioning of the nervous system," she says. She is concerned that studies of cultured cells will fall short of demonstrating a safe level for a plasma burst. "They cannot tell us about the pain and psychological consequences of such a painful experience."

The weapon is supposed to be ready for use against any and all instances where people feel strongly enough about an idea to group together en-masse and challenge the power structure collectively.... in 2007.

Not to be out done, those crazy bastards at Sandia National Laboratories have been cooking up a little toy of their own.

"ADT emits a 95 GHz non-ionizing electromagnetic beam of energy that penetrates approximately 1/64 of an inch into human skin tissue, where nerve receptors are concentrated. Within seconds, the beam will heat the exposed skin tissue to a level where intolerable pain is experienced and natural defense mechanisms take over."

ADT is Active Denial Technology, and its around right now. They are strappin' these bad boys to hum-vees and helicopters as we speak. This particular article focuses on the use of the technology as a security device. Theft deterrent for our 'nuclear assets' is how its billed. How soon until they are used to enclose 'terrorists' and other social miscreants in American prison camps. I guess its better than a collar around the neck that explodes past the electronic fence...
just a thought. Read the insightful details here.