resonant frequencies?

[CTho9305]

I was thinking about the destruction of objects using sound at their resonant frequencies. While you could break a glass at using frequency given sufficient energy, using the resonant frequency allows you to break it with much less energy. Similarly, I imagine you could use much less energy in the microwave if you could hit resonant frequencies of small particles.

That is the basis of my question:
could you find the resonant frequency of, say, an HIV protein, and send some low-energy microwave/radio/sound waves through the body? that should destroy that protein, but as long as the energy is not extremely high, not harm anything else. all that is required is for the protein to lose its shape/structure (i can't remember the term any more - haven't had biology in 3 years )

if it is dangerous to do for the whole body, how about "treating" blood in an external tube?

I realize this is highly off-topic along with highly technical, so if this is the wrong forum, sorry.

 

[alpha88]

I understand you're main point, but the problem would be this, there is no one resonant frequency of an HIV protien. The way a resonant frequency works with glass is that the repeating waves constantly add to eachother (in the glass) until the amplitude is great enough to break the glass. This frequency is based off shape of glass, as well as density, not necesarily just the quartz crystals (being a crystal is a factor). Using electromagnetic waves can do the same thing, microwaves (the frequencies in you microwave at home) energize the bonds within a water molecule. It isnt possible (as i see it) to apply this to HIV protien, because it is made of same types of bonds as everything else in body (protiens) N, H, C and O bonds.

 

[CTho9305]

ok, BUT think about it like this: two blobs of jello of different sizes should have different frequencies. and I dont think the fact that the types of bonds are the same matters, I think the protein structure would be targeted. I mean, if there was a "resonance frequency" for a single bond, sure, you'd kill everything, but that isn't what i was thinking.

 

[zzzz]

no..for a particular protein, it would be a bunch of frequencies, if any. There won't be a single unique frquency for each protein..

 

[RSMemphis]

Actually, glass does not break. It does not have one clear resonant frequency (it's amorphous).
Crystal "glass" however does.

Concerning breaking up HIV proteins, not much has to be added to the previous posts.
Indeed, microwaving would do the trick, and indeed, it would destroy other proteins as well.