Japanese scientist invents 'invisibility cloak'

Ananova ^ | Feb 3 2002

[Mamzelle]

I'll see your geekdom, and raise it!

re: ah he just stole it from the wood elves of Lothlorien)))

Legolas was a wood elf from Mirkwood, the elves of Lothlorien were High Elves.

But when I saw the headline, I wondered, did Galadriel give him one, too?

[Starwind]

I would have guessed that there were cameras photographing the obscurred area from the side.

A reasonable guess, especially if all that was intended to be demonstrated was the ability for the front of the cloak to 'display' an image transmitted from a camera.

But for this to be a practical "invisibility cloak" the observer must perceive that what they 'see' straight ahead is an undistored view of whatever is behind the cloak. Which necessitates camera angles of 180 degs, which implies a camera mounted on the cloak's back viewing straight back, not from some side angle.

But as you say, perhaps more a publicity shot than a technical demo.

[Centurion2000]

I want one :) .... of course for hunters this will pretty much be useless. Animals use sounds and scent to a much higher degree than we do and how can you be invisible with a BIG ORANGE day glo jacket.

[albee]

"Here's a better picture of it:"

It is very subtle....but I think I can make it out.

[537 Votes]

I'll have to see it to believe it.

This reminds me of the national-security document that's so secret it doesn't exist.

[VadeRetro]

Odd inconsistencies which make me wonder if the image isn't doctored.

This guy has a lot of people fooled but YOU saw right through him!

[albee]

Re: Pic on Post #66

I think the model has a future playing the scarecrow in the next remake of "The Wizard Of OZ".

[Mr. Silverback]

*and Scott Ritter*

ROFLMBO!

[Starwind]

This guy has a lot of people fooled but YOU saw right through him!

Well, (blush), actually I realized right off it was really a time translation cloak. The invisibility gimmick was just a cover story.

[Elenya]

Impressive pic! Which reminds me:

[Delbert]

Man ..LOL!!! you got me on that one!!!...I was thinking ...damn the picture didnt load....I'm a dork : )

[fnord]

been done ... but very interesting photo. just the tip of the iceberg :-)

[Elenya]

It is the brainchild of Professor Susumu Tachi who is in the early stage of research he hopes will eventually make camouflaged objects virtually transparent.

Professor Susumu Tachi should be very careful:

[section9]

Indeed, it has been done, in fiction.

While we await scientific verification of this claim, allow me to fill out the idea.

In his manga, Ghost In the Shell, Shirow Masamune made extensive use of projected leaps in technology such as cybernetics, new aerodynamic frames for helicopters and aircraft, and of course, the Fuchikoma, which was a small manned "tank" that could take its driver anywhere (up walls, on ceilings, etc.)

Fuchikoma variant, the "Tachikoma", between Kusanagi and Batou

One of the things that Shirow took a fascination in was the idea of "thermoptic camouflage". Basically, the idea was to use a cloak to bend light and heat "around" the individual wearing the thermoptic outfit.

The whole idea was to create a new kind of camouflage that avoided the need for cammo suits and whatnot. In the movie, as well as in the manga, thermoptic camouflage could be used for fuchikomas and other tanks. The bottom pic gives the best illustration of how it would probably look. Notice how the light is distorted around Kusanagi's figure? Notice also how other parts of the terrain are a part of her camouflage? They are reflections of other parts of the skyline, not a true representation of what is behind Kusanagi (something that the continuity people forgot in the upper vidcap, in which they made the mistake of actually showing the part of the apartment tower that was directly behind the Major.

Anyway, an interesting piece of news to all of us Shirow fans.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[KantianBurke]

And to take this discussion of loserdom to new heights I declare that irrespective of their elvish descent, Boromir could have kicked all their asses. :>

[perfect stranger]

My optometrist is Japanese, and he tells me that I need glasses. Am I being paranoid?

[Blood of Tyrants]

It jusy looks like an image is being cast from an ordinary projector to me.

[Hotdog]

Hope they don't start passing them out in the nursing homes!

[dogbrain]

HEY!
DOWN IN FRONT!!

[weikel]

Cool.