I read on a bbc website that a guy has produced an invisibilty cloak. Sounds handy, does anyone know where i might be able to get my hands on one? (I'd imagine they'd be quite easy to lose)
2007-01-17 00:35:31 · 12 answers · asked by Juz 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Some good videos demonstrating the concept here, plus a brief explanation.
http://projects.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/projects/MEDIA/xv/oc.html
2007-01-17 02:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This topic is a bit difficult.
A simple perfect mirror is not enough as your shadow would still remain. So it is all about guiding light around you with above mentioned metamaterials.
These are special man-made structures which have a negative refractive index in contrary to a positive index for almost all materials you find in nature.
Altogether it is still a long way to go since up to now you would be only invisible to microwave and only if they come from a certain direction.
If you are really into it, see http://www.nature.com/nphoton/journal/v1/n1/pdf/nphoton.2006.49.pdf
2007-01-18 08:05:16 · answer #2 · answered by blackandwhite 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The material is known as a meta-material and it uses a refractive index to bend light.
When you shine a torch into water, the density of the material changes the passage of light through it. That is why you see the angle change if you look side on at the light and the tank of water.
This means that the refractive index of the water is higher than the air, so if you create a material with a high enough refractive index you can cause light to 'bend' around you.
If you could afford to buy the material used, then you could have a seamtress make one up for you.
2007-01-17 00:52:45 · answer #3 · answered by boobboo77 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, the bloke stole it from an alien after being kidnapped aboard a UFO. He put on the cloak to make his escape when the UFO stopped for refueling at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The last I heard, he was wanted for questioning in a string of bank robberies across Canada.
2007-01-17 01:02:16 · answer #4 · answered by Tech Dude 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well the army have been testing camoflage cloaks that have partial invisibility. It is coated with tiny cameras that express a picture of what is behind it. Its not perfect but it is pretty good.
2007-01-17 01:09:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm going to go eff with Kevin Bacon. Payback for that stupid scaryass Hollow Man movie.
2016-03-29 01:25:43 · answer #6 · answered by Emily 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its got to do with nanotech. They create a material that is so optically dense that light encounters a total internal reflection.
2007-01-17 01:00:56 · answer #7 · answered by Death Blade 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What date was this report then, in very early April by any chance?
you might want to read this though
http://science.howstuffworks.com/invisibility-cloak.htm
2007-01-17 00:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you've been reading harry potter not the bbc website!!!
2007-01-17 01:04:13 · answer #9 · answered by Carrot 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mirrors....
2007-01-17 00:40:39 · answer #10 · answered by gorglin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋