Magnetic fields are the most plausible because unlike gravitational or electrical fields, magnets are fairly easy to control. However, in terms of defense against a bullet, the usually neutral charged bullet would need to become charged in order for the magnetic force to stop the bullet. According to Dr. Newman, professor of Physics at the University of Alaska, using x rays or gamma rays would be one way to make to the bullet have a positive charge.
Researchers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the UK are working on developing a supercapacitor into the armour of a vehicle to turn it into a battery. The thought is that when incoming fire is detected by the vehicle, the energy stored in the supercapacitor would be pushed onto the metal plating on the outside of the vehicle and produce a strong electromagnetic field. This would be made from several layers of metal with electric currents flowing through them. An advantage of having this supercapacitor is that it would be much lighter than the heavy weight of military vehicles. Having this kind of protection would not only increase speed and manoeuvrability but also help defend against roadside bombs and RPGs. As an RPG round hits the outer layer, it would create a high electrical charge between the layers. The charge field would then vaporise and prevent the RPG from penetrating the inside part of the vehicle.
A group of students in the University of Washington are doing research into creating a layer of charged particles, a bubble, of plasma around a spaceship held in place by a wire mesh. This would protect the ship and therefore the passengers inside from the radiation in space.
There was an earlier mission with a similar idea- a satellite was sent out, generating a cloud of plasma which protected it from the radiation. the trouble was that the cloud was uncontained and subsequently drifted away. That is where the wire mesh suggested by the Washington University students comes in. The trouble is that this is very specific to radiation ( i think) and would not work against something solid
A plasma window on the other hand is something that would let through electrical and radiation waves but would stop a solid object- the trouble is that it is very hot (consisting of super heated gas) and with the current energy capabilities, windows are hard to generate, and come out very small.
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