Invisibility Cloak Created In 3-D 113
An anonymous reader writes "Scientists have created the first device to render an object invisible in three dimensions. The 'cloak,' described in the journal Science (abstract; full text requires login), hid an object from detection using light of wavelengths close to those that are visible to humans. Previous devices have been able to hide objects from light travelling in only one direction; viewed from any other angle, the object would remain visible. This is a very early but significant step towards a true invisibility cloak." The "object" hidden in this work was a bump one micrometer high. The light used was just longer than the wavelengths our eyes detect. To get a visible-light cloak, the features of the cloaking metamaterial would need to be reduced in size from 300 nm to 10 nm.
What good could come from invisibility? (Score:2, Insightful)
Yes, invisibility is "cool", and I wouldn't mind an invisibility cloak for myself. But I can't immediately think of who would benefit the general public by having invisibility. Especially among the military, the police, criminals or terrorists (all of them sometimes interchangeable).
What practical use does invisibility have, other than as a weapon?
Re:Yo Mamma... (Score:4, Insightful)
... so far not even a 3d cloak could hide her!
I think you're doing it wrong.
Re:Not really what you'd think it is (Score:3, Insightful)
This was actually much easier than it sounds... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:What good could come from invisibility? (Score:4, Insightful)
Why does science need a reason? Once we have this stuff people will dream up creative aplications you or I could never have dreamed of.
Re:What good could come from invisibility? (Score:2, Insightful)
Hunting. No more constructing complex deer blinds. Have the cloak flash visible light in a spectrum the deer can't see so that you don't get shot by another hunter.
Spy tech. A lot easier to hide a bug if the bug is invisible.
Visual nuisances. Don't like that telephone pole in your back yard wrecking your view of the valley? Cloak the bastard.
Military. A cloaked sniper nest's advantages are obvious. Cloak secret military installations. Cloak factories making military hardware (we've already done this, the low-tech way. Back in WWII they disguised the Lockheed factory as a housing development by using giant canvas coverings painted like houses). Cloak troop camps. Cloak airfields. Cloak airplanes. Cloak airplanes in the air (eventually).
Of course, as with any technology, there are lots of malevolent uses too. Peeping toms will love it, as will criminals of all sorts. Hard to find the murder weapon when it's cloaked. Practical jokers will become a nuisance. Put crap on a sidewalk and cloak it, then wait for people to stumble into it.
That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure people will come up with lots more uses.