Scientists Created an Invisibility Cloak Right Out of Harry Potter
Andrew Sztein — March 26, 2013 — Unique
The lines between magic and science are starting to get blurry, especially with the news that a group of scientists have created true life invisibility cloaks. Don't get all excited and figure that you'll be going on Harry Potter-like adventures to stop Voldemort through the halls of Hogwarts just yet, but these invisibility cloaks do exist, and they work.
Invisibility cloaks have been in the works for a while, but most models are very bulky and make the users more translucent than fully transparent. However, Researchers at the University of Texas in Austin have found a way to make the 'metascreen' materials incredibly thin.
Without getting too tech-y, these invisibility cloaks can absorb microwaves to shield whatever is under the cloth from certain wavelengths. To make an optical invisibility cloak, it would a somewhat straight forward process of adjusting the cloth to absorb wavelengths in the visible spectrum instead of the microwave spectra it's currently calibrated for now.
Invisibility cloaks have been in the works for a while, but most models are very bulky and make the users more translucent than fully transparent. However, Researchers at the University of Texas in Austin have found a way to make the 'metascreen' materials incredibly thin.
Without getting too tech-y, these invisibility cloaks can absorb microwaves to shield whatever is under the cloth from certain wavelengths. To make an optical invisibility cloak, it would a somewhat straight forward process of adjusting the cloth to absorb wavelengths in the visible spectrum instead of the microwave spectra it's currently calibrated for now.
Trend Themes
1. Ultra-thin Invisibility Cloaks - Developing ultra-thin invisibility cloaks using advanced metascreen materials.
2. Blurring Magic and Science - Exploring the intersection of magic and science through the creation of real-life invisibility cloaks.
3. Optical Invisibility - Developing optical invisibility cloaks by adjusting the cloth to absorb wavelengths in the visible spectrum.
Industry Implications
1. Textiles - Opportunity for textile manufacturers to create and commercialize ultra-thin invisibility cloak materials.
2. Consumer Electronics - Potential to integrate invisibility cloak technology into consumer electronic devices.
3. Defense - Invisibility cloak technology can be utilized in defense applications for enhanced camouflage and stealth capabilities.
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