We've almost got a feasible cloak!

[freyr's mother]

You guys have to check this out. I was browsing their site like I normally do and I ran across this. It is sooo sick!
http://www.livescience.com/technolog...ity_cloak.html

Now all these scientists need to do is make the cloak so that it works within the visible spectrum of light and that it works in three dimensions. They should also design a suit. The next step after that would be shielding all forms of light.

[DaCk]

Yeah i saw that today. Its pretty cool. I wonder if now that we actually have something like a cloak maybe TPTB will incorporate it into things like the 304s and stuff.

[freyr's mother]

Yeah i saw that today. Its pretty cool. I wonder if now that we actually have something like a cloak maybe TPTB will incorporate it into things like the 304s and stuff.

No chance but I wish.

[SoulReaver]

We've almost got a feasible cloak!

hmm that's a bit of an overstatement - besides even if such a cloak were to be perfected so as to work in 3D & also cover the full spectrum of visible light (not anytime soon), it still wouldn't be practical as a cloaking device since whoever was inside wouldn't be able to see anything outside
So while anyone inside would be invisible to the outside, all that's outside would also be invisible to anyone inside

In other words whoever was cloaked in this manner would also be blind


Basically a Harry Potter-style mantle of invisibility is inherently impossible to achieve (at least via "passive" cloaking)

[jenks]

hmm that's a bit of an overstatement - besides even if such a cloak were to be perfected so as to work in 3D & also cover the full spectrum of visible light (not anytime soon), it still wouldn't be practical as a cloaking device since whoever was inside wouldn't be able to see anything outside
So while anyone inside would be invisible to the outside, all that's outside would also be invisible to anyone inside

In other words whoever was cloaked in this manner would also be blind


Basically a Harry Potter-style mantle of invisibility is inherently impossible to achieve (at least via "passive" cloaking)

Thermal imaging would still work though wouldn't it? Maybe they could 'see' to an extent if they had some sort of infared sight...

[SoulReaver]

Thermal imaging would still work though wouldn't it? Maybe they could 'see' to an extent if they had some sort of infared sight...

depends - whatever EM frequencies the cloak conceals from will also make those inside the cloak blind to outside EM waves of the same frequencies

For example thermal imaging detects low-frequency EM radiation (infrared frequencies band, I think - or perhaps even below infrared - aint sure)
So if you're inside the cloak & you wanna be able to see the outside via thermal imaging, then whoever is outside will also be able to see you via the same method
and vice-versa if the cloak also conceals you from heat detectors (thermal imagers) then you'll also be blind to the outside "thermally" speaking (ie. any heat detector you're carrying will be useless)

It's a "two-way" principle & that can't be changed

[Lightbane]

Yes but i'm sure Sci-Fi will multilate and twist the laws of physics to MAKE it work hehe

[SoulReaver]

yeah - anything's possible in SG

[2ndgenerationalteran]

works for only microwaves? hell suit me up, i wanna be the first person to be microwaved and live to talk about it hell if they can make it work on a 3D scale but work for radio waves put one of these things on our planes and they would invisible to radar, but not from sight

[dannster]

http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?...mentid=1095827

[Sasusc]

Thanks for the link. That's interesting to know.

[SoulReaver]

hell if they can make it work on a 3D scale but work for radio waves put one of these things on our planes and they would invisible to radar, but not from sight

problem is, those inside the plane won't be able to use radar either

[Major Tyler]

problem is, those inside the plane won't be able to use radar either

According to the article, the device wouldn't be used on planes, anyway.

[2ndgenerationalteran]

problem is, those inside the plane won't be able to use radar either

too true, now we need some one to make a subspace communication system... if this tech ever comes out for commercial use when its completed (i assume it will be a very very long time from now) that would cause fun houses to cause people to freak out so bad. trap you in a room with cloaked doors so it looks like your in a room with no exits. perfect for holloween

[Gilgamesh]

It seems to me if you can really make a full-spectrum 3D cloak, it would be mostly good for hiding parked vehicles, supply depots, moble missile launchers, etc. Since a true cloak is "double blind," it would have to be removed/turned off before whatever it is hiding can be used. Otherwise, you cannot be fully cloaked.

For example, for a tank to be moble, an invisibility cloak would have to leave openings for observation ports (or small cameras?), exhaust venting, the end of any weapon barrel, etc. So while not fully invisible, a cloak might still make it hard to spot. I also assume a cloak does nothing to cover engine noise.