Lasers have gone from science fiction to a workable product that has many practical applications today. Lasers are found in all sorts of products from the mundane laser pointer and DVD player to more robust devices like military lasers to destroy missiles in flight before they reach their intended targets.

Lasers have also found great use in medicine where they are used to create tiny incisions that heal faster and cause less trauma to surrounding soft tissue. A group of researchers at the University of Missouri have begun research using a new type of laser called the UUL or ultra-fast, ultra-intense laser.

The laser is also known as a femtosecond laser because of the ultra-fast laser pulse durations of one quadrillionth of a second. The laser is being looked at as a viable treatment for cancer and other medical procedures. The reason the UUL looks to be such a favorable treatment is because the fast pulse duration is able to target specific cells and transfer none of the laser’s heat to surround tissues.

Researcher Robert Tzou said, "If we have a way to use the lasers to kill cancer cells without even touching the surrounding healthy cells, that is a tremendous benefit to the patient. Basically, the patient leaves the clinic immediately after treatment with no side effects or damage. The high precision and high efficiency of the UUL allows for immediate results."

Current radioactive treatments for cancer target the cancerous cells, but also cause damage to surrounding healthy cells as well. This is the reason for the severe side effects associated with most radiotherapy treatments for cancer.

The UUL has many other applications in addition to surgery and cancer treatment. According to the researchers one of the first applications will allow the manufacture of silicon chips with super clean channels. The laser will also allow dentist to treat tooth decay without harming tooth material surrounding the decay that is healthy.

Some researchers at the university have also received a DOD grant to pursue possible military applications of the UUL. Successful research into military applications for the UUL could lead to replacements for the current high energy lasers installed in military applications like the C130H gun ship.