The Molecular Disruption Device is a fictional weapon of mass destruction featured in the Ender's Game series of science fiction novels by Orson Scott Card. Given the awkwardness of saying "molecular disruption device" or "molecular detachment device," the name was abbreviated to "M. D. Device," which gave rise to the nicknames "Dr. Device" and "The Little Doctor" as a joke. Originating from Formic technology it sets up a field in which the covalent and ionic atomic bonding cannot exist. The field's strength weakens with distance, but is regenerated when it encounters another molecule. This chain reaction rips apart molecules and can be used to destroy ships, fleets (when ships are in close proximity) or even an entire planet.
Read more about this topic: Concepts In The Ender's Game Series
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