Realistic Applications of the Ghostbusting Arsenal

[nix]

Okay, so everyone knows that you absolutely cannot have a Proton Pack in real life (except as a prop replica). But how would some of the weapons in the Filmation arsenal work if they were to be developed as actual ghostbusting tools, while still remaining true to their animated look? This thread is dedicated to ideas about how this might come across.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the ideas presented here may or may not be based upon real science. If not, I'm talking out of my a**. Corrections and criticism are welcome--in fact, they're required.

EXHIBIT ONE: THE GHOST DEMATERIALIZER

The Ghost Dematerializer (also known as the Demat Gun) utilizes amplified positive photon energy to counteract a ghost's negative energy. In other words, it's the flashbulb of a camera but with a little more kick.

The weapon uses a standard camera flash. A power amplifier causes the normal white light to become ultra-white light. Throw a few protons in (courtesy of a proton wave emitter) and the basic dematerializer beam is achieved.

Of course, there's a problem: you need a way to focus the energy. A large prismatic crystal would work, but for best results it needs to be in the shape that a diamond comes in. This needs to be fairly large in order to get the desired effect--about, oh, say, the size of a five-year-old's fist.

[Prime Good]

Well, it seems to me that Dematerializers just work to dissipate molecular cohesion into ghosts.
Ergo, ghosts lose their "ability" to mantain the molecular cohesion of their manifestations in physical world; their attachment to the dimension we humans inhabit.

Got it?

[nix]

admin said:

Well, it seems to me that Dematerializers just work to dissipate molecular cohesion into ghosts.
Ergo, ghosts lose their "ability" to mantain the molecular cohesion of their manifestations in physical world; their attachment to the dimension we humans inhabit.

Got it?

Ah. I was under the impression that it weakened them enough to send them back to wherever they go to "recharge" (like returning to the scene of your death--that's where you're strongest).

But, on the other hand, maybe this is a good time to say, "Well, who cares HOW it works? Let's just be glad it works!!" (or not, as is often the case).

[nix]

Moving on:

EXHIBIT TWO: THE GHOST GUMMER

"You've reached the Ghostbusters. They can't come to the phone right now...they're too 'stuck-up'!"

This one's a bit easier to explain, given that it's in principle very similar to a standard paintball gun. The "gum" itself is a chemical formula that tangles up ghosts, and expands on contact to provide maximum effect; when combined with gelatin, it is easily shaped into, erm, gumballs.

The gun part features a spherical reservoir capable of holding up to 750 "gumballs", and requires a CO2 cartridge to fire them from 4 barrels. An electric trigger regulates rate of fire--press the trigger once for single-shot, hold it down for rapid fire.

And, yes, before you ask, the Ghost-Gum IS biodegradable. ;D

Naturally, users should be very careful when operating this device. You wouldn't want to accidentally gum-up your allies, now, would you?

[ghstbstrlmliii]

I like where you're going with that - the analogy of the paintball gun. That would also explain how the balls of gum don't stick to one another in the reservoir: there is a light coating covering the "gum" - allowing it to maintain a somewhat round shape, and keeping it from making one big mess inside the gun. Then, upon impact, the coating breaks, releasing the gum in all its sticky goodness.

Side-Note on point: The new Ghostbusters video game (see my signature) will have a weapon that is very close to the Ghost-Gummer.

[nix]

ghstbstrlmliii said:

Side-Note on point: The new Ghostbusters video game (see my signature) will have a weapon that is very close to the Ghost-Gummer.

Yes, well, they've already stolen the Bubble Blaster (see the SEGA Genesis game, under "Bubble Projectile").

I suppose you could, at a stretch, say that the Slime Throwers from GBII are a ripoff of the Ghost Gummer...

[Prime Good]

Further evidence that the Ghosts are somehow solid !!!
... maybe the synthetic gum of the Ghost Gummer is energized to the point it disrupts the cohesive friction of the semi-ethereal surfaces belonging to the Ghosts's physical structures.
It's about energy, not matter... ain't it?

[ghstbstrlmliii]

Wait, Prime. I thought we were thinking the in the Filmation GB universe, the ghosts were more matter than in other theories. (If I read your post wrong, I apologize - no tone inflection to go by), but this was a main difference from the Columbia GBs - which was about energy and charge (unofficially at least , because in the movies there was never a technical explanation given of the proton packs).

Of course, thinking about it too much could make one go around in circles: haha
The ghosts are more matter - a gum would stick to them and hold them in one place until they can be dealt with.
The ghosts are more energy/electrical charge - the gun is energized positively (for sake of argument) and therefore would bind to a negatively charged ghost, working to the same result.
And I have no idea which way I was going with that. It seems that a case could be made either way.

[nix]

On to Exhibit Three, while I've got an idea of how it works.

EXHIBIT THREE: THE SPECTRE-SNARE

This one could be very easily confused with the Proton Pack, if only because they have similar features/functions. In this case, however, the Spectre-Snare functions more like a double-barrelled bola line to trap the ghost, and a slight pulse of positive energy to make it more docile.

Here at ZeroInc. Labs, we've modified the Spectre-Snare from its original "lasso" design to the "bola line" design because we feel that the latter is more power-efficient and more adaptable, depending on your present situation. The line is a superstrong Kevlar cable, with threads of platinum woven in to carry the positive energy charge.

By the way, the two bola balls are electromagnetic, so that they can easily "stick together". And, yes, the line DOES retract back into the gun.

[nix]

EXHIBIT FOUR: THE GHOST-PACKS

Our latest development at ZeroInc. Technologies...dimensionally transcendental luggage! No more having to worry about weighing in your bags at the airport. Now, you can tuck your clothing and souvenirs away into a pocket dimension and it won't weigh any more than when the bag is empty!

Of course, we have had to modify this technology for Ghostbusting purposes. And so, we came up with the Ghost-Pack. Modeled after Japanese backpacks, also known as "randoseru", the Ghost-Packs can contain any number of ghost hunting gadgets you might need but didn't plan for. We've also included a special Bluetooth telepathic chip so that you can "think" of what gadget you need and pull it out with unerring accuracy. At least, if you remember to change the batteries in the Bluetooth chip every once in a while...

We're currently working on a model that also functions as a jet-pack. The most recent prototype models have been disastrous failures, but we'll find a solution. Our working name: the "Buster-Thruster" pack. I only hope the name isn't...already...taken...

[nix]

Now, onto one of our newer pieces of equipment.

EXHIBIT FIVE: THE SPOOK SCANNER

Based on some current research, we've determined that ghosts do indeed have some kind of atomic charge. We're not sure what the energy is yet, but it's there. As a matter of fact, ghosts can sometimes leave an "after-image" invisible to the naked eye. A sort of "ghostly fingerprint", if you will, that tells us what that particular ghost was doing at any given time.

Inspired by new developments in spirit photography, we've developed the Spook Scanner to take advantage of these after-images. We've somehow managed to get it down to a handheld model--simply press the button on the handle, and a positively-charged laser beam excites the negative energy left behind. Note, however, that the resolution of the after-image depends on how much negative energy's been left behind--if it's a very strong signal, you'll be able to ascertain the ghost's identity, if it's one of Prime Evil's henchmen. If not, then you'll just have to do some further investigation.

Here, take the special battery pack we've developed, too. Should save you some money on extra batteries (it takes 7 "C" sized batteries.)

[nix]

EXHIBIT SIX: THE SPECTRE-SNARE, MARK II

After some rather disastrous tests with the Mark I Spectre-Snare, we've come up with a new design inspired by Indiana Jones' whip, except this one contains a "stretchy", bungee-cord-like rope with a lariat attached to it. Press a button, and you can send a "small" charge of positive energy at the ensnared ghost to calm him down a bit, if he's putting up a real fight (Fangster, I'm looking at you).

We're currently working on a retracting mechanism so that it can be used as a grappling hook. The line currently supports up to 350 lbs, taut.

[nix]

EXHIBIT SEVEN: THE MICRO-DEMATERIALIZER

You might say that the Micro-Dematerializer functions as a side-arm for the Ghostbusters. Vaguely reminiscent of the Phaser from Star Trek: TNG in appearance, it packs all the punch of the regular-size Dematerializer. Given that its power-pack is so small, however, it only has capacity for three (3) full-power blasts, and a fully-spent power-pack takes at least 24 hours to completely recharge with the recharger available at Ghost Command. Due to this limitation, the Micro-Dematerializer is only useful in emergencies such as when the regular Dematerializer is damaged or otherwise out of reach.

[Prime Good]

Jan 19, 2008 10:52:30 GMT -5 nix said:

Moving on:

EXHIBIT TWO: THE GHOST GUMMER

"You've reached the Ghostbusters. They can't come to the phone right now...they're too 'stuck-up'!"

This one's a bit easier to explain, given that it's in principle very similar to a standard paintball gun. The "gum" itself is a chemical formula that tangles up ghosts, and expands on contact to provide maximum effect; when combined with gelatin, it is easily shaped into, erm, gumballs.

The gun part features a spherical reservoir capable of holding up to 750 "gumballs", and requires a CO2 cartridge to fire them from 4 barrels. An electric trigger regulates rate of fire--press the trigger once for single-shot, hold it down for rapid fire.

And, yes, before you ask, the Ghost-Gum IS biodegradable. ;D

Naturally, users should be very careful when operating this device. You wouldn't want to accidentally gum-up your allies, now, would you?

WHAT IF the gum is imbued with an electromagnetical radiation that interfers with the outerdimensional "negative" energy of the Ghosts?
I just doubt the weapon offers an exclusively physical approach.

[Prime Good]

Sept 12, 2009 10:31:41 GMT -5 nix said:

EXHIBIT SEVEN: THE MICRO-DEMATERIALIZER

You might say that the Micro-Dematerializer functions as a side-arm for the Ghostbusters. Vaguely reminiscent of the Phaser from Star Trek: TNG in appearance, it packs all the punch of the regular-size Dematerializer. Given that its power-pack is so small, however, it only has capacity for three (3) full-power blasts, and a fully-spent power-pack takes at least 24 hours to completely recharge with the recharger available at Ghost Command. Due to this limitation, the Micro-Dematerializer is only useful in emergencies such as when the regular Dematerializer is damaged or otherwise out of reach.

Much likely, a future team of Ghostbusters will expand this weapon, making it the "mainstream" version of the Ghost Dematerializer.

I bet this is one of the few GB weapons solely conceived and made by Tracy.