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The '''microwave auditory effect''', also known as the '''microwave hearing effect''' or the '''Frey effect''', consists of audible clicks (or, with modulation, whole words) induced by pulsed/modulated [[microwave]] frequencies. The clicks are generated directly inside the human head without the need of any receiving electronic device. The effect was first reported by persons working in the vicinity of [[radar]] transponders during [[World War II]]. These induced sounds are not audible to other people nearby. The microwave auditory effect was later discovered to be inducible with shorter-wavelength portions of the [[electromagnetic spectrum]]. During the [[Cold War]] era, the [[United States|American]] [[neuroscientist]] [[Allan H. Frey]] studied this phenomenon and was the first to publish<ref>{{cite journal| url=http://jap.physiology.org/content/17/4/689.abstract?sid=7c073ad2-6324-4b47-94e1-124dc0a5f154 | journal=Journal of Applied Physiology| volume=17 |pages=689–692 |year=1962| title=Human auditory system response to modulated electromagnetic energy |author=Allan H. Frey |accessdate=21 August 2011| pmid=13895081| issue=4}}</ref> information on the nature of the microwave auditory effect.
'''Microwave auditory effect''', also known as the '''microwave hearing effect''' or the '''Frey effect''', consists of audible clicks (or, with modulation, whole words) induced by pulsed/modulated [[microwave]] frequencies. The clicks are generated directly inside the human head without the need of any receiving electronic device. The effect was first reported by persons working in the vicinity of [[radar]] transponders during [[World War II]]. These induced sounds are not audible to other people nearby. The microwave auditory effect was later discovered to be inducible with shorter-wavelength portions of the [[electromagnetic spectrum]]. During the [[Cold War]] era, the [[United States|American]] [[neuroscientist]] [[Allan H. Frey]] studied this phenomenon and was the first to publish<ref>{{cite journal| url=http://jap.physiology.org/content/17/4/689.abstract?sid=7c073ad2-6324-4b47-94e1-124dc0a5f154 | journal=Journal of Applied Physiology| volume=17 |pages=689–692 |year=1962| title=Human auditory system response to modulated electromagnetic energy |author=Allan H. Frey |accessdate=21 August 2011| pmid=13895081| issue=4}}</ref> information on the nature of the microwave auditory effect.


Pulsed microwave radiation can be heard by some workers; the irradiated personnel perceive auditory sensations of clicking or buzzing. The cause is thought to be thermoelastic expansion of portions of auditory apparatus.<ref name="prevoccup">{{cite book|last1=Levy|first1=Barry S.|last2=Wagner|first2=Gregory R.|last3=Rest|first3=Kathleen M.|title=Preventing occupational disease and injury|url=http://books.google.com/?id=pM7DNkbVyQgC&pg=PA428&dq=microwave+injury&cd=26#v=onepage&q=microwave%20injury&f=false|year=2005|publisher=American Public Health Association|isbn=978-0-87553-043-7|page=428}}</ref> The auditory system response occurs at least from 200&nbsp;MHz to at least 3&nbsp;GHz. In the tests, repetition rate of 50&nbsp;Hz was used, with pulse width between 10–70 microseconds. The perceived loudness was found to be linked to the peak power density instead of average power density. At 1.245&nbsp;GHz, the peak power density for perception was below 80&nbsp;mW/cm<sup>2</sup>.{{cn}} However, competing theories explain the results of interferometric holography tests differently. <ref>http://www.sciencemag.org/content/209/4461/1144.extract?sid=f514230e-1373-4da5-ad36-3689f428e21b</ref>
Pulsed microwave radiation can be heard by some workers; the irradiated personnel perceive auditory sensations of clicking or buzzing. The cause is thought to be thermoelastic expansion of portions of auditory apparatus.<ref name="prevoccup">{{cite book|last1=Levy|first1=Barry S.|last2=Wagner|first2=Gregory R.|last3=Rest|first3=Kathleen M.|title=Preventing occupational disease and injury|url=http://books.google.com/?id=pM7DNkbVyQgC&pg=PA428&dq=microwave+injury&cd=26#v=onepage&q=microwave%20injury&f=false|year=2005|publisher=American Public Health Association|isbn=978-0-87553-043-7|page=428}}</ref> The auditory system response occurs at least from 200&nbsp;MHz to at least 3&nbsp;GHz. In the tests, repetition rate of 50&nbsp;Hz was used, with pulse width between 10–70 microseconds. The perceived loudness was found to be linked to the peak power density instead of average power density. At 1.245&nbsp;GHz, the peak power density for perception was below 80&nbsp;mW/cm<sup>2</sup>.{{cn}} However, competing theories explain the results of interferometric holography tests differently. <ref>http://www.sciencemag.org/content/209/4461/1144.extract?sid=f514230e-1373-4da5-ad36-3689f428e21b</ref>

Revision as of 04:11, 14 April 2014

Microwave auditory effect, also known as the microwave hearing effect or the Frey effect, consists of audible clicks (or, with modulation, whole words) induced by pulsed/modulated microwave frequencies. The clicks are generated directly inside the human head without the need of any receiving electronic device. The effect was first reported by persons working in the vicinity of radar transponders during World War II. These induced sounds are not audible to other people nearby. The microwave auditory effect was later discovered to be inducible with shorter-wavelength portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. During the Cold War era, the American neuroscientist Allan H. Frey studied this phenomenon and was the first to publish[1] information on the nature of the microwave auditory effect.

Pulsed microwave radiation can be heard by some workers; the irradiated personnel perceive auditory sensations of clicking or buzzing. The cause is thought to be thermoelastic expansion of portions of auditory apparatus.[2] The auditory system response occurs at least from 200 MHz to at least 3 GHz. In the tests, repetition rate of 50 Hz was used, with pulse width between 10–70 microseconds. The perceived loudness was found to be linked to the peak power density instead of average power density. At 1.245 GHz, the peak power density for perception was below 80 mW/cm2.[citation needed] However, competing theories explain the results of interferometric holography tests differently. [3]

In 2003, the US Navy conducted research on an MAE system they called MEDUSA (Mob Excess Deterrent Using Silent Audio) as a way to remotely, temporarily incapacitate personnel.[4][5][6] The system relied on the principle of MAE, varying the power and parameters of the microwave pulses “to raise the auditory sensation to the ‘discomfort’ level, deterring personnel from entering a protected perimeter or, if necessary, temporarily incapacitating particular individuals.”[5]

In 2008, Sierra Nevada Corporation, a contractor that worked on the Navy's MEDUSA research, announced that they were seeking funding from the US Department of Defense to build demonstration and transportable versions of the system.[6]

Electroreception has also been studied in the animal world. Ritz et al., in Biophysical Journal,[7] hypothesize that transduction of the Earth's geomagnetic field is responsible for the magnetoreception systems of birds. Specifically, they propose that this transduction may take place in a class of photoreceptors known as cryptochromes.

Primary Cold War-era research in the US

The first American to publish on the microwave hearing effect was Allan H. Frey, in 1961. In his experiments, the subjects were discovered to be able to hear appropriately pulsed microwave radiation, from a distance of 100 meters from the transmitter. This was accompanied by side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and a pins and needles sensation.

Sharp and Grove developed 'receiverless' wireless voice transmission technologies for the Advanced Research Projects Agency at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, in 1973. In the above mentioned journal entry to The American Psychologist, Dr. Don Justesen reports that Sharp and Grove were readily able to hear, identify, and distinguish among the single-syllable words for digits between 1 and 10 . Justesen writes, "The sounds heard were not unlike those emitted by persons with an artificial voice box (Electrolarynx). Communication of more complex words and of sentences was not attempted because the averaged densities of energy required to transmit longer messages would approach the [still] current 10mW/cm² limit of safe exposure."[8]

Peaceful applications

A 1998 patent describes a device that can scare off birds from wind turbines, aircraft, and other sensitive installations by way of microwave energy pulses. Using frequencies from 1 GHz to about 40 GHz, the warning system generates pulses of milliseconds duration, which are claimed to be sensed by the birds' auditory systems. It is believed this may cause them to veer away from the protected object.[9]

Conspiracy theories

Numerous individuals suffering from auditory hallucinations, delusional disorders[10] or other mental illness have claimed that government agents use microwave signals to transmit sounds and thoughts into their heads as a form of electronic harassment, referring to the technology as "voice to skull" or "V2K".[11] There are extensive online support networks and numerous websites maintained by people fearing mind control. Palm Springs psychologist Dr Alan Brucker has identified evidence of delusional disorders on many of these websites[10] and other psychologists are divided over whether such sites negatively reinforce mental troubles or act as a form of group cognitive therapy.[12]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Allan H. Frey (1962). "Human auditory system response to modulated electromagnetic energy". Journal of Applied Physiology. 17 (4): 689–692. PMID 13895081. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  2. ^ Levy, Barry S.; Wagner, Gregory R.; Rest, Kathleen M. (2005). Preventing occupational disease and injury. American Public Health Association. p. 428. ISBN 978-0-87553-043-7.
  3. ^ http://www.sciencemag.org/content/209/4461/1144.extract?sid=f514230e-1373-4da5-ad36-3689f428e21b
  4. ^ Taylor, Eldon (15 April 2009). Mind Programming: From Persuasion and Brainwashing, to Self-Help and Practical Metaphysics. Hay House, Inc. pp. 100–101. ISBN 978-1-4019-2513-0.
  5. ^ a b "Navy search database – summary report: Remote Personnel Incapacitation System". SBIR/STTR Search Database (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer). U.S. Navy. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  6. ^ a b Hambling, David (3 July 2008). "Microwave ray gun controls crowds with noise". NewScientist. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  7. ^ Ritz, Thorsten (2000). "A model for photoreceptor-based magnetoreception in birds". Biophysical Journal. 78 (2): 707–718. doi:10.1016/S0006-3495(00)76629-X. ISSN 0006-3495. PMC 1300674. PMID 10653784. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ D.R. Justesen. "Microwaves and Behavior", Am Psychologist, 392(Mar): 391–401, 1975.
  9. ^ Kreithen ML. Patent #5774088 “Method and system for warning birds of hazards” USPTO granted 30 June 1998
  10. ^ a b Monroe, Angela (November 12, 2012). "Electronic Harassment: Voices in My Mind". KMIR News. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  11. ^ Weinberger, Sharon (January 14, 2007). "Mind Games". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  12. ^ Kershaw, Sarah (November 12, 2008). "Sharing Their Demons on the Web". New York Times.

References

  • R.C. Jones, S.S. Stevens, and M.H. Lurie. J. Acoustic. Soc. Am. 12: 281, 1940.
  • H. Burr and A. Mauro. Yale J Biol. and Med. 21:455, 1949.
  • H. von Gierke. Noise Control 2: 37, 1956.
  • J. Zwislocki. J. Noise Control 4: 42, 1958.
  • R. Morrow and J. Seipel. J. Wash. Acad. SCI. 50: 1, 1960.
  • A.H. Frey. Aero Space Med. 32: 1140, 1961.
  • P.C. Neider and W.D. Neff. Science 133: 1010,1961.
  • R. Niest, L. Pinneo, R. Baus, J. Fleming, and R. McAfee. Annual Report. USA Rome Air Development Command, TR-61-65, 1961.
  • A.H. Frey. "Human auditory system response to modulated electromagnetic energy." J Applied Physiol 17 (4): 689–92, 1962.
  • A.H. Frey. "Behavioral Biophysics", Psychol Bull 63(5): 322–37, 1965.
  • F.A. Giori and A.R. Winterberger. "Remote Physiological Monitoring Using a Microwave Interferometer", Biomed Sci Instr 3: 291–307, 1967.
  • A.H. Frey and R. Messenger. "Human Perception of Illumination with Pulsed Ultrahigh-Frequency Electromagnetic Energy", Science 181: 356–8, 1973.
  • R. Rodwell. "Army tests new riot weapon", New Scientist Sept. 20, p 684, 1973.
  • A.W. Guy, C.K. Chou, J.C. Lin, and D. Christensen. "Microwave induced acoustic effects in mammalian auditory systems and physical materials", Annals of New York Academy of Sciences, 247:194–218, 1975.
  • D.R. Justesen. "Microwaves and Behavior", Am Psychologist, 392(Mar): 391–401, 1975.
  • S.M. Michaelson. "Sensation and Perception of Microwave Energy", In: S.M. Michaelson, M.W. Miller, R. Magin, and E.L. Carstensen (eds.), Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Nonionizing Radiation. Plenum Press, New York, p 213-24, 1975.
  • E.S. Eichert and A.H. Frey. "Human Auditory System Response to Lower Power Density Pulse Modulated Electromagnetic Energy: A Search for Mechanisms", J Microwave Power 11(2): 141, 1976.
  • W. Bise. "Low power radio-frequency and microwave effects on human electroencephalogram and behavior”, Physiol Chem Phys 10(5): 387–98, 1978.
  • J.C. Lin. Microwave Auditory Effects and Applications, Thomas, Springfield Ill, p 176, 1978.
  • P.L. Stocklin and B.F. Stocklin. "Possible Microwave Mechanisms of the Mammalian Nervous System", T-I-T J Life Sci 9: 29–51, 1979.
  • H. Frolich. "The Biological Effects of Microwaves and Related Questions", Adv Electronics Electron Physics 53: 85–152, 1980.
  • H. Lai. “Neurological Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation” In: J.C. Lin (ed.), Advances in Electromagnetic Fields in Living Systems vol 1, Plenum, NY & London, p 27-80, 1994.
  • R.C. Beason and P. Semm. "Responses of neurons to an amplitude modulated microwave stimulus", Neurosci Lett 333: 175–78, 2002.
  • J.A. Elder and C.K. Chou. "Auditory Responses to Pulsed Radiofrequency Energy", Bioelectromagnetics Suppl 8: S162-73, 2003.
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