Scientists Closer To Invisibility Cloak

Aviran was one of many readers to submit news of a just-announced development in the ongoing quest to develop a working invisibility cloak, writing: "Scientists say they are a step closer to developing materials that could render people and objects invisible. Researchers have demonstrated for the first time they were able to cloak three-dimensional objects using artificially engineered materials that redirect light around the objects. Previously, they only have been able to cloak very thin two-dimensional objects" Reader bensafrickingenius adds a link to coverage at the Times Online, and notes that "the world's two leading scientific journals, Science and Nature, are expected to report the results this week." Tjeerd adds a link to a Reuters' story carried by Scientific American.

I would have claimed 1st

[nullCRC]

I would have claimed 1st, but someone appears to be cloaked.

Currently under "Cliche Movie Plot" (CPM) testing

[elrous0]

The lead engineer on the project added "Our engineers are currently testing the cloak extensively in women's locker rooms, on their speeding cars, to sneak into class late, to hide from bumbling crooks, and in other comic scenarios which have, to date, only been seen in lame movies. Our hope is to perfect the technology to the point where an engineer can sneak up on the bully that tormented him in high school and kick him in the testicles." After detailing the particulars of the complex optic engineering of the project, he concluded with "The day is now in sight where we will have a cloaking device truly worthy of an early-90's Kirk Cameron movie--or, God willing, even a Michael J. Fox made-for-TV movie from the 80's."

Pictures?

[Tibor the Hun]

At first I was going to complain about the lack of pictures, but then I realized they wouldn't be too revealing anyway.

Science writing at its finest

[Maury Markowitz]

Very thin 2D objects eh? Nice.

Re:Science writing at its finest

[Enderandrew]

It has trouble with very thick 2D objects.

really?

[Anonymous Coward]

if i can't see it, i can believe it

Re:correction:

[mikkelm]

The fact that this is modded insightful is frightening in itself.

Cloak of Invisibility

[egyptiankarim]

Now if they could only find away to modify the HP of my Intimidating Shout... :)

Re:correction:

[MightyYar]

Better than "+1 Hot".

Re:Pictures?

[gehrehmee]

Theregister has a pretty nice artist's impression of the cloak [theregister.co.uk]

arms race

[Ukab the Great]

And the locker room will be full of girls wearing invisibility cloaks.

Re:INB4

[MightyYar]

Oh, sweet Jesus - what if cancer gets this technology and can hide from us?

And, even more off-topic... it's a damn good thing that Bin Laden didn't have this technology or we would have never found him.

News Flash!

[lolwhat]

We live it 3 dimensions.So who cares if they can cloak 2d objects. lol

Woot!

[g0dsp33d]

Sign me up for a blessed +5 waterproof one.

Re:War Application

[Firehed]

I really hope that our wars aren't fought like Crysis in the future. The self-destruct feature probably makes sense for military use (and the idea of jumping fifty feet is pretty awesome), but I'd rather not deal with the frozen aliens.

Re:MIT

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, they probably turned out the lights. See? Ha! no you don't! We're MIT! Take that you Stanford weenies!

Re:Pictures?

[dkleinsc]

Don't forget the film demonstration:

This is Mr Lambert of Lewton. He cannot be seen. Mr Lambert, will you remove your invisibility cloak please? (gunshot and scream)
This demonstrates the value of not being seen.

I dunno about this claim.

[jitterman]

I mean, I can see right through it.

very thin 2D object

[Evildonald]

Aren't ALL 2 dimensional objects very thin? In fact, wouldn't they have a 0 thickness?

Invisibility cloak

[MouseR]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Re:I would have claimed 1st

[stainlesssteelpat]

His name was Robert Paulson. [imdb.com]

There fixed that for you.

Actually it was invented several months ago...

[jpellino]

now they just can't find the blasted thing.

Re:Pictures?

[Pvt_Ryan]

I cant see them.. :D

Has it occured to anyone that once you take the cloak off you had better not set it down?

It really adds a whole new level to losing your keys if you set the cloak on them by mistake.

On a brighter note voyeurism just got easier.. :D

Re:Pictures?

[Born2bwire]

Mr. Nesbitt has learnt the first lesson of not being seen... not to stand up. However, he has chosen a very obvious piece of cover.

Re:I do claim 1st

[gnick]

Don't know about the patent, but I can claim prior art. I have an invisible cloak that I wear all the time at home. I used to wear it in public, but kept getting arrested.

Is there an emperor out there looking for an outfit for a parade? I have a spare that I'm willing to sell.

Re:Invisibility cloak

[morgan_greywolf]

Here is a picture of the cloak [google.com] found on Google Image search. Believe it now?

Re:Clarke's Law at work?

[sm62704]

When are the flying broomsticks coming?

I see you've not met my ex-wife.

I just sold one of these

[speculatrix]

I just sold one of these fabulous cloaks to a neighbouring monarch. Mind you, he wasn't too happy when he went out in the street and the kids all shouted out "the emperor's got no clothes on".

I have another one, but I put it down somewhere and now I can't find it.

whole squads of..

[slashmojo]

whole squads of special forces rendered invisible

imagine whole squads of geeks rendered invisible around hot women!

oh wait.. n/m ;)

Re:Currently under "Cliche Movie Plot" (CPM) testi

[Veggiesama]

Even a perfect optical cloak would still be detectable in many ways...

Very clever list of suggestions, but you forgot the most obvious one: a tachyon detection grid [memory-alpha.org]. If it worked for Geordi La Forge, it damn well works for me.

Re:Currently under "Cliche Movie Plot" (CPM) testi

[QRDeNameland]

Let's see you slice bread with an AK-47.

That's easy. Point your AK-47 at someone else and say "Slice that loaf of bread."