This system requires two components - magnetically charged bullets and magnetically charged vests. Fairly obviously both the bullets and vests are charged either negatively or positively so that when a bullet strays near a 'friend' the bullet magically swerves around the friend due to the magnetic repulsion. There is an obvious downside in that crims may find out about this and wear magnetically charged vests themselves however if the system randomly charged either negative or positive each day at midnight then crims who tried to cheat the system would be taking a 50/50 gamble every time. They would either repel the bullets and be guaranteed to live or attract the bullets and be guaranteed to die.-- The_Saint, Nov 11 2009 Mythbusters episode 95. http://kwc.org/myth...s_bond_special.htmlOh well, back to the drawing board. [jutta, Nov 11 2009] <sarcasm> It's a wonder that this system isn't already in wide use.</sarcasm>-- kaz, Nov 11 2009 You'd need to invent the monopole, otherwise you have to make sure the bullets didn't spin around mid flight so as to get attracted to the friendly soldier - plus, you'd also have to make sure your soldiers all stood facing the same way, anyone turning around (to tie their shoelaces for example) would literally become a bullet-magnet. Then there's the problem of the soldiers all getting stuck to one another in a big, bullet-sucking pile, unable to move and at the mercy of their adversaries.
But apart from that, I don't see any problems.-- zen_tom, Nov 11 2009 Watch the mythbusters episode on how strong a magnetic field it takes to deflect a bullet.
As long as each soldier doesn't mind lugging along a small(large) generator, and you can make every bit of material they're carrying out of aluminum/ceramic (even worked stainless is too magnetic)-- MechE, Nov 11 2009 //But apart from that, I don't see any problems.// other than finding a dependable supplier of magnetic lead.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 11 2009 But also, welcome to the HB :-)-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 11 2009 Your witty skit reminds me that it does have other advantages. When it's time to go home a magnetic tank can simply rumble down the road collecting soldiers as it goes.-- The_Saint, Nov 11 2009 Putting aside all the technical objections, I'm a bit confused about where exactly this system is supposed to be used. The mention of 'crims' implies a law enforcement scenario but friendly fire is more of (although not exclusively) a military phenomenon. Also, I'd hate to be a civilian in an occupied area. It's easy enough to get killed by your brave liberators as it is, but at least some of the combatants will stop a bullet every now and again. Under this system, bullets will be flying around in even more different directions.-- DrBob, Nov 11 2009 "Good news about corporal Lucky, sir!" "Yes sergeant?" "Yes sir. Magnetic vest sir - worked a treat sir. Enemy round, incoming, deflected successfully, sir. Missed his heart by 18 inches, sir!" "Excellent, sergeant, excellent." "Yes sir. Took his bloody 'ead right off, though, sir."-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 11 2009 Isn't this how Magneto (of X-Men fame) stops bullets ?-- FlyingToaster, Nov 11 2009 The_Saint really should have a halo above his name!-- po, Nov 11 2009 Ooh, and a white Volvo P1800.-- kaz, Nov 11 2009 As unfeasible this idea is, [The_Saint], I do like the "magnetic soldier collection" aspect that you pointed out in your annotation. Now that's an idea!-- DrWorm, Nov 11 2009 Magnetized armor might work better against particle weapons. Maybe as satellite shielding?-- bungston, Nov 13 2009 [+] since seeker bullets with little fins could do this better but [mfd bad science] for magnetic monopoles.-- sninctown, Nov 14 2009 Based on the mythvusters episode it is unlikely that the 450 ton helium-cooled magnet in the LHC would be able to change the course of a bullet. Even if it was a ferrous bullet.-- DIYMatt, Nov 16 2009 //ferrous bullet//Isn't it his day off?-- coprocephalous, Nov 16 2009 random, halfbakery