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Gadget's squeal squelches turmoil

The piercing siren Banshee‑II, a National Security Technology Center invention, can quickly quell a ruckus.

What's small and blue and louder than a rock concert? It's the Banshee-II sonic device, one of many gadgets invented by Y‑12's National Security Technology Center (NSTC). Established in 2005, the center develops, demonstrates and deploys innovative security technologies and products in support of Y‑12 Safeguards and Security and the U.S.Department of Homeland Security. Since the center's inception, NSTC inventors have dreamed up and produced dozens of creations for Y‑12 and other government agencies.

This talented group of problem solvers in the Science, Technology and Partnerships organization taps into Y‑12's know-how, high-tech equipment and vast technical experience. “The open, innovative environment within the center enables us to create practical yet unique solutions that meet customer requirements,” said Reid Kress, NSTC software specialist. “Many people strive to think outside the box. At NSTC, we prefer to invent a completely different container.” Their inventive minds can turn most any vision into a workable prototype, and many of their middle-of-the-night dreams carry through to licensing. The Banshee-II is a prime example.

When law enforcement officers, military personnel and security forces needed a way to disperse unruly crowds, NSTC designed the original Banshee, a rubber ball with electronic circuitry, a transducer, a power supply and a piercing 130-decibel (dB) siren. Because humans feel pain at 125 dB, this nonlethal sonic device quickly makes people flee. You could think of it as an auditory version of tear gas—uncomfortable enough to get results but not permanently damaging because of the short duration. This handy little tool is inexpensive to reproduce, is easily transported and has adjustable frequencies. With a squeal that can register 144 dB, the Banshee-II is a louder, hard-body version of its predecessor.

David Kirby of the Environment, Safety and Health organization performed noise-level safety testing on the new siren and determined that it reached 382% above allowable noise limits. Kirby's report noted that the sound waves were considerably higher than those of a jackhammer. “Normally, we measure noise levels to be sure we are not exceeding allowable limits. This is the first time in my monitoring experience that loud noise has had a possible beneficial effect.”

Lee Bzorgi, NSTC's director, serves as Y‑12's overseer of products in the think tank's pipeline. “Y‑12 has been a cradle of innovation throughout its history,” he said. “I'm proud that NSTC has delivered a workable solution every time our customers, both internal and external, have come to us with a need. Our goal is to continue that tradition of top-quality work and dependability and keep it before us as a pledge to our customers.”

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