Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: neva30 on 28/04/2009 21:06:09

Title: Possible invisibility machine?
Post by: neva30 on 28/04/2009 21:06:09

I'm probably revealing all sorts of ignorance here but would it ever be possible to build an invisibilty machine that worked by the principle of stretching the wavelength of visible light.

I only ask because isn't it right that the size of what is visible through a standard microscope is limited by the wavelength of visible light. And isnt it also right that the wavelength of light travelling from stars travelling away from us is red shifted as the wavelength of light is lengthed by the process of them speeding away.

Is there any process that could stretch the wavelength of visible light that man would be able to harness?

And if it were possible to create a sphere around an object where all light approaching that was stretched to be larger than the object in the centre (turning them into radio waves?), would it result in it becoming invisible.

Sorry if this is a stupid question,
Nick

Title: Possible invisibility machine?
Post by: Kryptid on 28/04/2009 21:13:11

If you had a sphere that converted visible light to invisible wavelengths, then it would appear black to us. This is because no light could pass through it to reach our eyes. Therefore, it would not be transparent and therefore not invisible.

Something that might be of interest to you would be metamaterials. It is theorized that specially designed metamaterials might allow for the creation of an invisibility cloak, but none have been created to date: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamaterials#Cloaking_devices

Title: Possible invisibility machine?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 14/05/2009 14:10:11

I'm sure a Japanese scientist has created a method of making small things invisible & is working on a larger version. I'll try to find a link.

UPDATE

OK, it's British scientists, and it is to do with metamaterials.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6064620.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6064620.stm)

Title: Possible invisibility machine?
Post by: dentstudent on 14/05/2009 14:12:59

Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 14/05/2009 14:10:11

I'm sure a Japanese scientist has created a method of making small things invisible & is working on a larger version. I'll try to find a link.

If you don't find it, does that mean that they were successful?

Title: Possible invisibility machine?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 14/05/2009 14:14:46

Quote from: dentstudent on 14/05/2009 14:12:59

Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 14/05/2009 14:10:11

I'm sure a Japanese scientist has created a method of making small things invisible & is working on a larger version. I'll try to find a link.

If you don't find it, does that mean that they were successful?

Oh ha-di-bloody-ha

Title: Possible invisibility machine?
Post by: Fortran on 14/05/2009 15:22:50

I can't see invsibility ever becoming a practical invention, it works with radar simply because radar operates at a defined frequency, visible light uses almost an octave of the spectrum.

Question,  "If aliens are millions of years ahead of us and yet use spacecraft visible to us (if the many sightings are to be believed) how come they have not disguised themselves with invisibility or cloaking?"