I actually got to witness this first hand a couple of years back when it was in earlier research stages...and got to experience first-hand the effects (it feels like it burns!) when I decided I had to "feel it to believe". Take a look at this video on Yahoo - it really is like science fiction come true.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=6735062
Just like the reporter in this video - as soon as you move away from the beam the feeling vanishes and there's no lasting effect, but it sure does make you want to stay away!