class String

def to_wide_string

modify the receiver.
Convert a regular string to a wide character string. This does not 
def to_wide_string
  (self + 0.chr).encode("UTF-16LE")
end

def to_wide_string!

the receiver.
Convert a regular string to a wide character string. This modifies 
def to_wide_string!
  replace((self + 0.chr).encode("UTF-16LE"))
end