Harry Potter Fans Rejoice! Super-Thin Invisibilty Cloak Created By Scientists

Harry Potter Fans Rejoice! Scientists Have Created A Super Thin Invisibility Cloak

Even if you aren't a fan of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, you probably still think his power to become invisible using a simple garment is pretty cool.

Now, fulfilling the hopes and dreams of many, the cloaks have become much more conceivable in our world than previously thought.

This is all thanks to a team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, who have been able to make an object disappear using an ultra thin invisibility cloak.

Harry Potter-esque invisibility cloaks could be a reality soon

The skin they used measured at just 80 nanometers and marks the first time that scientists have been able to achieve this illusion using their technique.

To make it functionally invisible the team used tiny gold brick-like "nanoantennas" that rerouted light waves away from the object, creating the disappearing effect.

While the cloak itself is 2D, it can cover a 3D object.

Xiang Zhang, who was part of the team that built the device, admitted that the cloak is currently microscopic in size and has succeeded so far in hiding only tiny objects.

The 80 nanometre thick film is made from gold “nanoantennae” blocks

Although he believes the skin can be scaled up to form sheets that can cloak much larger objects in the future.

Previous limitations for invisibility cloaks have seen them be hopelessly impractical - for hiding people at least - on the grounds of size alone.

Zhang spoke to the Guardian and said: “They are really bulky, if you wanted to cloak your body, you’d have to carry this thing that’s three to four times the size of your body around with you wherever you go.”

The study, modestly called "An ultrathin invisibility skin cloak for visible light,” was published in the journal Science on Thursday.

Close

What's Hot