Boeing says that the system is not able to stop direct hits from bombs or shells, but it will stop the shock wave. The "shield" is intended to protect objects such as buildings or vehicles. The "shockwave attenuation system" is made of a sensor to detect an explosion and an arc generator, which will create the protective shield.
The key to the force field system is to create a difference in the area surrounding the object to be protected. The difference could be in temperature, composition, or density. It is believed that this difference will prevent the shock waves from reaching their target, or at least some of them.
Physics students last year demonstrated that it was possible to use an electromagnetic field to keep a plasma shield in place. A potential problem with this is that it would most likely also prevent even light from entering the area – leaving it in complete darkness.
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Source: http://www.cnet.com/news/boeing-patents-star-wars-style-force-fields/
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Graphics: Mine
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Keywords: Star Wars, force field, Boeing, patent, shield, shockwave attenuation system