Impressive. Most impressive.
Alex Burkan (Russia), the man behind the YouTube channel Alex Lab, has created the first retractable lightsaber.
The lightsaber produces a plasma blade measuring over 1 m (3.28 ft) in length. Reaching temperatures over 2,800°C (5,072°F), the blade has the ability to cut through steel.
"The key component of my lightsaber is an electrolyser. An electrolyser is a device that can generate a huge amount of hydrogen and oxygen and compress the gas to any pressure without a mechanical compressor."
Alex also uses this electrolyser, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, as a hydrogen booster for his motorbike.
After hundreds of experiments and bench tests, Alex was able to adapt the hydrogen and oxygen burner so it formed the shape and length required for his lightsaber.
A fellow YouTuber created a retractable lightsaber last year, but his device relied on a fuel tank that was mounted on his back. This Russian version is a true lightsaber with the fuel contained in the hilt of the blade.
Of course, this means Alex only has about 30 seconds to fight. For now.
Here's the video of the saber being made:
One of the coolest parts of this experiment is that it confirms a lightsaber could indeed block Sith lightning.
"Plasma is a stream of high ironized particles so this lightsaber can also attract lightening and other high voltage charges," Alex said.
The prototype has issues though.
Sometimes the lightsaber just blows up in your hand because of hydrogen flashback.
I hate it when that happens.
It remains to be seen if Alex's lightsaber can take on a Dark Lord of the Sith.
