Science Scientists Create Invisibility Cloaking Device

mikey23545 · 02-05-2011, 01:50 AM

Scientists are a step closer to creating a cloaking device after making an object visible to the naked eye disappear for the first time.

In the past, researchers have only been able to "cloak" microscopic objects using extremely complicated physics and so-called meta-materials made on a tiny scale.

But a new study at the University of Birmingham in the UK has taken a major step forward by making a paper clip invisible - an object thousands of times bigger than in previous experiments.
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The research works by using a naturally forming crystal called calcite which has extraordinary light-bending abilities.

By placing the crystals over an object it "bounces" light around it rendering it invisible to the naked eye.

Dr Shuang Zhang, a physicist and lead investigator on the University of Birmingham team, said: "This is a huge step as, for the first time, the cloaking area is rendered at a size that is big enough for the observer to 'see' the invisible object with the naked eye.

"By using natural crystals for the first time, rather than artificial meta-materials, we have been able to scale up the size of the cloak and can hide larger objects, thousands of times bigger than the wavelength of the light."

The new technique is limited only by the size of the naturally formed crystals.

Calcite crystals can be up to 21ft long, so it could be used on a car or a military vehicle.

It may also be possible to manufacture crystals with similar qualities.

Dr Zhang explained: "Previous cloaks have succeeded at the micron level - which is much smaller than the thickness of a human hair - using a nano- or micro-fabricated artificial composite material.

"It is a very slow process to make these structures and they also restrict the size of the cloaking area.

"We believe that by using calcite, we can start to develop a cloak of significant size that will open avenues for future applications of cloaking devices," Dr Zhang said.

The research is published this week in the journal Nature Communications.

The Telegraph, London

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci...203-1af2g.html

Ralphy Boy · 02-05-2011, 01:54 AM

Perverts of the world just went nuts... so did Predator fans.

Thig Lyfe · 02-05-2011, 01:57 AM

This happens once every six months.

keg in kc · 02-05-2011, 01:58 AM

I just hope the Romulans don't find out that we're violating the Treaty of Algeron.

**Tribal Warfare** · 02-05-2011, 03:03 AM

****in Predators won't get the drop on us anymore!!!!!!!!!!

**Rain Man** · 02-05-2011, 03:24 AM

Once they invent it, they better not set it down.

Pushead2 · 02-05-2011, 03:46 AM

pics or it didn't happen...

**Shogun** · 02-05-2011, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushead2

pics or it didn't happen...

How many people in this photo can you see?

Brick were shat and minds were nuked.

**dannybcaitlyn** · 02-05-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralphy Boy

Perverts of the world just went nuts... so did Predator fans.

LOL. Just think, you could use it in the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room.

**notorious** · 02-05-2011, 07:55 AM

Clay is furiously masterbating to the idea of finally realizing his dream of a Preadator costume that he can wear to the conventions.

**BigRedChief** · 02-05-2011, 08:06 AM

PFFFTTTT, paper clip. We have known for a long time that bending light was the key. The hard part is how far you can bend the light and maintain the "invisibility".

JD10367 · 02-05-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

PFFFTTTT, paper clip. We have known for a long time that bending light was the key. The hard part is how far you can bend the light and maintain the "invisibility".

This. I'm not a physics expert... okay, I know nothing about physics except for when I stub my toe in the dark... but I'd think bending the light around an object as small as a paper clip isnt the problem. It's not the light bending around something, IMO: what makes something "invisible" is the ability to see through it. Sure, with a paper clip on a solid-color background, you can bend the light and it looks invisible. And if you're talking about the clear blue sky (or white clouded sky), having a plane covered in the stuff might make it harder to see. But if a tank is rumbling across a green field with trees and a blue sky, unless you can see through the tank and observe non-moving tree trunks, any reflective material will simply make it look like a giant patch of grass or blue sky that's moving around.

Pushead2 · 02-05-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shogun

How many people in this photo can you see?

Brick were shat and minds were nuked.

JD10367 · 02-05-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shogun

How many people in this photo can you see?

Brick were shat and minds were nuked.

Don't be moronic. There are no people in that pic. It's obviously two polar bears having sex in a snowstorm. Duh.

**BigRedChief** · 02-05-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD10367

This. I'm not a physics expert... okay, I know nothing about physics except for when I stub my toe in the dark.

I got an A in college Physics. Does that count?

02-05-2011, 01:50 AM
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	Scientists Create Invisibility Cloaking Device Scientists are a step closer to creating a cloaking device after making an object visible to the naked eye disappear for the first time. In the past, researchers have only been able to "cloak" microscopic objects using extremely complicated physics and so-called meta-materials made on a tiny scale. But a new study at the University of Birmingham in the UK has taken a major step forward by making a paper clip invisible - an object thousands of times bigger than in previous experiments. Advertisement: Story continues below The research works by using a naturally forming crystal called calcite which has extraordinary light-bending abilities. By placing the crystals over an object it "bounces" light around it rendering it invisible to the naked eye. Dr Shuang Zhang, a physicist and lead investigator on the University of Birmingham team, said: "This is a huge step as, for the first time, the cloaking area is rendered at a size that is big enough for the observer to 'see' the invisible object with the naked eye. "By using natural crystals for the first time, rather than artificial meta-materials, we have been able to scale up the size of the cloak and can hide larger objects, thousands of times bigger than the wavelength of the light." The new technique is limited only by the size of the naturally formed crystals. Calcite crystals can be up to 21ft long, so it could be used on a car or a military vehicle. It may also be possible to manufacture crystals with similar qualities. Dr Zhang explained: "Previous cloaks have succeeded at the micron level - which is much smaller than the thickness of a human hair - using a nano- or micro-fabricated artificial composite material. "It is a very slow process to make these structures and they also restrict the size of the cloaking area. "We believe that by using calcite, we can start to develop a cloak of significant size that will open avenues for future applications of cloaking devices," Dr Zhang said. The research is published this week in the journal Nature Communications. The Telegraph, London http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci...203-1af2g.html
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02-05-2011, 01:54 AM	#2
Ralphy Boy MVP Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Perverts of the world just went nuts... so did Predator fans.
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02-05-2011, 01:58 AM	#4
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02-05-2011, 03:03 AM	#5
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02-05-2011, 03:24 AM	#6
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-682449 VARSITY	Once they invent it, they better not set it down. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
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02-05-2011, 03:46 AM	#7
Pushead2 **** off Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York Casino cash: $6331882	pics or it didn't happen... __________________ "**** up once, lose two teeth....”
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02-05-2011, 07:55 AM	#10
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02-05-2011, 08:06 AM	#11
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-791038 VARSITY	PFFFTTTT, paper clip. We have known for a long time that bending light was the key. The hard part is how far you can bend the light and maintain the "invisibility". __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
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