Related Sections: Future Tech
Scientists getting closer to creating invisibility
Science fiction may soon see another of its concepts defect to the realm of science now that engineers at Purdue University have an invisibility device in the works. Still just a concept at this point, the plan would be to surround an object with a specially designed cone with metal needles sticking out of it. The needles would change the refractive properties of the cone in such a way that light would bend around it and make any stuff inside disappear.
One problem: the design can only bend one wavelength at a time, so unless the guy inside the cone is covered head to toe in a red bodysuit, you'll still be able to see him. That's still useful, though, since it could possibly shield soldiers from night-vision goggles, which see in only one wavelength of light (infrared). It could also protect objects from "laser designators," used by soldiers to highlight targets for laser-guided weapons.
As for real invisibility, it's theoretically possible with this method, though it would be a huge technical challenge. Baby steps, guys — let's get this infrared shield working before we venture into Harry Potter territory.
Via Seed Magazine
CORRECTION: As an eagle-eyed commenter pointed out, this post orignally misspelled the name of Purdue University. Apparently we eat too much chicken. Sorry about that, guys! Return to the corrected sentence.
By Kampfer at 3:25 PM ON 04/11/07
Our University is not the chicken goods supplier Perdue. It is spelled Purdue. Please correct this.
By DavemanXP at 8:11 AM ON 04/12/07
The invisibility thing is intriguing - but frankly I hope they never fully develop it to hide individuals.
Just as surely as US soldier uniforms are stolen by the enemy (as demonstrated in Iraq)so would any potential invisibility zoot suits, by terrorists or by the domestic invasive criminal elements that loot, plunder and do bodily harm.
Not to mention the abuses of the technology by those who are supposed to protect and serve. Who wouldnt want to be invisible? To eaves drop - and much worse.
So - you see, maybe its not such a good thing after all. Alas - reality suggests that if America does not develop such a tool, another country will at some point in time.
By petekusinski at 9:50 AM ON 04/12/07
DavemanXP,
I'm willing to bet that by the time this technology is engineered to the point where it will be available to the military, it will be easy to incorporate a safeguard so only one predetermined person can use each individual device.
There are some inherent flaws with this concept: when/if this invisibility product rolls off the line to the military, it would be possible for someone to reprogram the individual-specific programming. Al Queda is not stupid, they know their way around computers and coding.
Additionally the military is too cheap to spend money for something they can't reuse. Every time a solider ended their tour of duty, the suit would be rendered useless. U.S. soldiers are already being deprived of necessary equipment; I doubt this would fly with the budget committee.
It's a great concept, but I agree there are serious drawbacks.
By GerardManley at 7:08 PM ON 04/12/07
Hey, there's a mathematician over here at the University of Washington working on the mathematical formula for invisibility. He's already won an award for creating a formula that looks inside human cells. Looks like Purdue ain't cornered the market on this one!
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