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Scientist thinks invisibility possible in future
Reuters ^ | July 31, 2006 | Patricia Reaney

Posted on 07/31/2006 11:25:04 AM PDT by AntiGuv

LONDON (Reuters) - It's unlikely to occur by swallowing a pill or donning a special cloak, but invisibility could be possible in the not too distant future, according to research published on Monday.

Harry Potter accomplished it with his magic cloak. H.G. Wells' Invisible Man swallowed a substance that made him transparent.

But Dr Ulf Leonhardt, a theoretical physicist at St Andrews University in Scotland, believes the most plausible example is the Invisible Woman, one of the Marvel Comics superheroes in the "Fantastic Four."

"She guides light around her using a force field in this cartoon. This is what could be done in practice," Leonhardt told Reuters in an interview. "That comes closest to what engineers will probably be able to do in the future."

Invisibility is an optical illusion that the object or person is not there. Leonhardt uses the example of water circling around a stone. The water flows in, swirls around the stone and then leaves as if nothing was there.

"If you replace the water with light then you would not see that there was something present because the light is guided around the person or object. You would see the light coming from the scenery behind as if there was nothing in front," he said.

In the research published in the New Journal of Physics, Leonhardt described the physics of theoretical devices that could create invisibility. It is a follow-up paper to an earlier study published in the journal Science.

"What the Invisible Woman does is curve space around herself to bend light. What these devices would do is to mimic that curved space," he said.

Although the devices are still theoretical, Leonhardt said scientists are making advances in metamaterials -- artificial materials with unusual properties that could be used to make invisibility devices.

"There are advances being made in metamaterials that mean the first devices will probably be used for bending radar waves or the electromagnetic waves used by mobile phones," he said.

The devices could be used as protection mechanisms so the radiation emitted from mobile phones does not penetrate electronic equipment. It is guided around it.

"It is very likely that the demonstration for radar would come first and very soon. To go into the visual will take some time but it is also not so far off," Leonhardt said.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: invisibility; science
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1 posted on 07/31/2006 11:25:07 AM PDT by AntiGuv
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To: PatrickHenry; b_sharp; neutrality; anguish; SeaLion; Fractal Trader; grjr21; bitt; KevinDavis; ...
FutureTechPing!
An emergent technologies list covering biomedical
research, fusion power, nanotech, AI robotics, and
other related fields. FReepmail to join or drop.

2 posted on 07/31/2006 11:25:27 AM PDT by AntiGuv ("..I do things for political expediency.." - Sen. John McCain on FOX News)
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To: AntiGuv

The MSM has been doing this with any liberal who criticizes Hillary.


3 posted on 07/31/2006 11:26:24 AM PDT by JeeperFreeper
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To: AntiGuv

Have you ever noticed that after about 10 pints of Guinness, you get invisible? I certainly have! And, I cannot be heard by anyone either except those I address. It is mystical stuff, Guinness...


4 posted on 07/31/2006 11:30:37 AM PDT by Frank Sheed (Tá brón orainn. Níl Spáinnis againn anseo.)
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To: AntiGuv
"There are advances being made in metamaterials that mean the first devices will probably be used for bending radar waves or the electromagnetic waves used by mobile phones," he said.

Interesting. Wonder if this would shield against EMP?

5 posted on 07/31/2006 11:31:02 AM PDT by CaptRon (Pedecaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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To: AntiGuv

Can we use it to make sure Code Pink disappears???


6 posted on 07/31/2006 11:31:10 AM PDT by GeorgiaDawg32 (I'm a Patriot Guard Rider..www.patriotguard.org for info)
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To: AntiGuv

"If you replace the water with light then you would not see that there was something present because the light is guided around the person or object. You would see the light coming from the scenery behind as if there was nothing in front,"

Interesting analogy but in water there is visible turbulence might not there also be with light similar to gasoline vapors? The invisibility shield in the Predator movie comes to mind. Very good but not perfect invisibility.


7 posted on 07/31/2006 11:31:17 AM PDT by Leg Olam (Two million sperm and you were the fastest?)
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To: AntiGuv

Tequila used to work for me...


8 posted on 07/31/2006 11:32:22 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
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To: AntiGuv

Stick your head in a hole and if you can't see anyone then chances are they can't see you either.


9 posted on 07/31/2006 11:32:41 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: AntiGuv

I've noticed most scientists believe in whatever continues their funding. :D I have yet to hear one say, "well, our research has finally resolved X, so we no longer need to research it".


10 posted on 07/31/2006 11:32:59 AM PDT by TruthBeforeAll (Christ gave and died. Mohammed took and killed.)
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To: AntiGuv

This sounds even more promising than the South Beach diet.


11 posted on 07/31/2006 11:34:21 AM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Whatever happened to Cynthia McKinney?)
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To: AntiGuv
Scientist thinks invisibility possible in future

I just can't see it.

12 posted on 07/31/2006 11:34:21 AM PDT by thoughtomator (The worst thing about censorship is XXXXXXXXXXXXX)
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To: AntiGuv
Here's a pic of Dr. Ulf:

.

13 posted on 07/31/2006 11:34:28 AM PDT by cll (Carthage must be destroyed)
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To: lonevoice

Art Bell will love this one.


14 posted on 07/31/2006 11:34:48 AM PDT by Pride in the USA
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To: Frank Sheed

Not to mention its FVE effects... ("Female Visual Enhancement...")


15 posted on 07/31/2006 11:34:51 AM PDT by Philistone (Turning lead into gold...)
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To: CaptRon

Well, since we are talking about bending waves then light or magnet waves wouldn't be any different in that sense.

Even 'pulsed' magnetism is still waves. Just a shorter duration.



16 posted on 07/31/2006 11:34:57 AM PDT by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
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To: thoughtomator

Blast.

MY line!


17 posted on 07/31/2006 11:36:09 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: JeeperFreeper
The MSM has been doing this with any liberal who criticizes Hillary.

ROFLMAO!

18 posted on 07/31/2006 11:38:08 AM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: AntiGuv

Wait until burglars and peeping toms get a hold of this


19 posted on 07/31/2006 11:38:27 AM PDT by Uncledave
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To: AntiGuv
The Invisible Man went to the doctor for his yearly checkup. Unfortunately the nurse told him, "The doctor can't see you now."
20 posted on 07/31/2006 11:39:02 AM PDT by PackerBronco
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