New 'Broadband' Cloaking Technology Simple To Manufacture

New 'Broadband' Cloaking Technology Simple To Manufacture

www.sciencedaily.com

ScienceDaily (May 21, 2009) — Researchers have created a new type of invisibility cloak that is simpler than previous designs and works for all colors of the visible spectrum, making it possible to cloak larger objects than before and possibly leading to practical applications in "transformation optics."

(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 5/21/2009 by beautyfrompain]

I've always been interested in research regarding cloaking objects. This article states that the scientists don't know the fundamental limit to size that can be cloaked (which is something I'm assuming they are working on).

Cloaking has always sort of scared me as well as for its application towards warfare. What happens when, or if, cloaking becomes manufactured to consumers who are able to buy them and use them to say, diguse themselves and rape people? Rob banks? Break into top secret facilities?

(Sorry for the random thoughts)

www.sciencedaily.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I imagine if this is developed too much farther you'll see it applied only to military applications. Imagine if someone cloaked a building, that would cause havoc for airplanes.

On the other hand, having special forces cloaked would allow for them to sit right outside a cave and just wait for a certain someone to come out to use the bathroom.

Even then though, you have a point. Military hardware would be leaked out eventually. I imagine they'd also have to design in a flaw that could be exploited in such an event. Like a certain signal that would be broadcasted inside cities, which would neutralize the device. Just a quick and dirty idea, but they have such devices for cell phones now you know.

Much agreed. With military applications I can understand because it's kept within tight orders an regulations (so I'd hope) but once it got leaked or released to the public who is to say what is fare game?

Who would be able to regulate it?

That is awesome. When will they start to sell this in the open market? What a great invention. I always wanted to be invisible.

As a consumer the only things I'd use it for is covering something in my yard I dont want stolen like a canoe or bike and maybe cloaking myself while waiting for a shot on a gobbler. Turkeys arent stupid.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
As a consumer the only things I'd use it for is covering something in my yard I dont want stolen like a canoe or bike and maybe cloaking myself while waiting for a shot on a gobbler. Turkeys arent stupid.

See you would use it for personal reasons on personal property on personal items. Who is to say that someone isn't going to... let's say cover a really nice car in the parking lot and take it when the owner's think it's stolen? Or cover themselves walking into a bank? How about people just randomly wearing it and causing mayhem on streets?

reply to post by beautyfrompain


I should hope that if cloaking tech reaches the broad consumer base people would be aware enough to reach out and check that their items were actually stolen and that are not just being screwed with as a prank.

Cloaking still wont get people into bank vaults or out of them should they sneak in whilst the door is open. A cloaked individual walking to a counter to demand money doesnt seem any more a threat than an individual in a Nixon mask demanding money.

What sort of mayhem would they cause? It isnt exactly safe for a cloaked person to go running about the streets. Cars cant swerve or stop to avoid what they cannot see.

Regarding assaults and rapes the cloaked individual wouldnt get very far before it was known that there was some cloaked douchebag commiting an assault. Human beings are all basically the same shape and size. Why cant I punch a cloaked guy in the gut or kick him in the shins?

I dont think much would change. The biggest crime boon related to a cloaking device would most likely be petty crimes like vandalism and shoplifting.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
reply to post by beautyfrompain

 

I should hope that if cloaking tech reaches the broad consumer base people would be aware enough to reach out and check that their items were actually stolen and that are not just being screwed with as a prank.

Cloaking still wont get people into bank vaults or out of them should they sneak in whilst the door is open. A cloaked individual walking to a counter to demand money doesnt seem any more a threat than an individual in a Nixon mask demanding money.

What sort of mayhem would they cause? It isnt exactly safe for a cloaked person to go running about the streets. Cars cant swerve or stop to avoid what they cannot see.

Regarding assaults and rapes the cloaked individual wouldnt get very far before it was known that there was some cloaked douchebag commiting an assault. Human beings are all basically the same shape and size. Why cant I punch a cloaked guy in the gut or kick him in the shins?

I dont think much would change. The biggest crime boon related to a cloaking device would most likely be petty crimes like vandalism and shoplifting.

I can understand where you're coming from. I think what I'm trying to say here is taking advantage of such an item. Not all humans are good people, and I'm sure there would be a few bad apples looking to exploit it. I mean, how would you protect a government offical if you can't see what's around you? A politician? The Pope?

reply to post by beautyfrompain


In that case the cloak would be better used as a cover from a distance for a long range shot. An invisible person in a crowd is still pretty visible. People wont be nudged out of the way or brushing up against people and not notice that there's some invisible dude walking around. I'm sure in such instances being invisible would raise just as many alarms as walking around with a rifle. Somebody would scream "he's invisible!" and it's be all over for the would be assailant.

In some extreme movie-esque scenario I guess you could sneak your way into the backseat of a poli's car or something but even then all it takes is a reach or tossed jacket to figure out something is there.

Being invisible doesnt mean you are void of mass.