Scientists Create Invisibility Cloaking Device

[mikey23545]

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

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

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

"Yes, I do. It's an invisible condom..."

[Simply Red]

http://tinyurl.com/4axt2n4

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by SportsRacer

This happens once every six months.

Unfortunately, they keep misplacing it.

[Over-Head]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

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

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I've been making women appear naked to the eye for years.

[Rain Man]

This whole thing is going to end up being a huge waste of money. They'll invent an invisibility cloak, but the enemy will learn to look for the little garment care tag on the collar. By law, those have to be on there and they have to be readable.

[Time's Yours]

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... 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.

I think they're talking about bending the light so you are seeing what is behind the object. Think about setting mirrors next to the paperclip so you can see what's behind it. They're using crystals in such a way that you look straight at the object but instead see what's actually behind it.

I think the issue would be that putting the crystals next to the paper clip/tank makes the object appear invisible, but how do you make the crystals themselves invisible?

If you see 4 huge crystals coming at you, you'll probably suspect that there's a tank between them.

[Bowser]

I'm pretty sure the keys to my car and house are equipped with a cloaking device.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by phillip

I think they're talking about bending the light so you are seeing what is behind the object. Think about setting mirrors next to the paperclip so you can see what's behind it. They're using crystals in such a way that you look straight at the object but instead see what's actually behind it.

I think the issue would be that putting the crystals next to the paper clip/tank makes the object appear invisible, but how do you make the crystals themselves invisible?

If you see 4 huge crystals coming at you, you'll probably suspect that there's a tank between them.

Well, duh. You put crystals next to them.

[dannybcaitlyn]

Originally Posted by Bowser

I'm pretty sure the keys to my car and house are equipped with a cloaking device.

Lol. Don't forget TV remote.