Invisibility cloak dreams could become reality with light-bending material

telegraph.co.uk ^ | August 10, 2008 | Aislinn Simpson

[Free ThinkerNY]

The creation of the magical technology has been the subject of intense research ever since Victorian author HG Wells captivated readers with his tales of a scientist who becomes invisible after consuming a cocktail of drugs.

Now scientists at the University of California in Berkeley have developed a material that can bend light around three dimensional objects making them "disappear", according to an article on Nature magazine's website.

The research, funded by the American military, paves the way for stealth tanks, aircraft and even warships that can disappear from enemy soldiers' sights.

The technology works like water flowing around a rock. Since light is not absorbed or reflected by the object, the viewer only sees the light from behind it - rendering it invisible.

[Lancey Howard]

I want one.

[Lawgvr1955]

.

[Drango]

Klingons have had a cloaking device for a long time.

[garjog]

This would be handy for John Edwards.

[skinkinthegrass]

*if not invisible, just hard to see*?

[Almondjoy]

Thieves and Adulters everywhere are rejoicing over this news!

I can hear it now.

“Oh crap my husband/wife is home.” “Quick under the invisbility blanket I have stuffed in the closet.”

[Irish Eyes]

You beat me to it.... I want one too.

[Snurple]

[Centurion2000]

The research, funded by the American military, paves the way for stealth tanks, aircraft and even warships that can disappear from enemy soldiers' sights.

They better get it out of the University of Bezerkely before some useful-idiot communist shares it with China and Russia.

[ApplegateRanch]

How many times have they recycled this story in one form or another? Every few years, they re-run it.

“Only the names have been changed to protect....”

[Pelham]

I have a Hollywood art director in the family who told me how Predator’s cloaking was accomplished. The actor wore a blue suit and an image of the jungle background was projected onto him using the blue screen technique.

[YCTHouston]

Hey! Where’d you go?

[fella]

Is Georgia a predominantly Muslim country?

To late. The Russkies have used it to get into Georgia and I hear that they are now marching on Atlanta as I type.

[Kickass Conservative]

I thought the Romulins had it first.

I can trust a Klingon, but I could never trust a Romulin.
Those Romulins are just like Democrats, sneaky liars.

[fella]

D'oh ....... forgot to edit. the quote should have been

They better get it out of the University of Bezerkely before some useful-idiot communist shares it with China and Russia.

Followed by the punch line

To late. The Russkies have used it to get into Georgia and I hear that they are now marching on Atlanta as I type.

[NonValueAdded]

That’s how “Q” did it.

[VeniVidiVici]

Invisibility cloak? What will they think of next?

[Allegra]

Harry Potterhead ping. :)

[rawhide]

Japan's invisible man-- 2003