The Science of Being Invisible
Posted by admin on 2024-01-03 |
They say
that magic and science are two sides of the same coin. Arthur C. Clarke
famously remarked in his 1962 book, 'Profiles of the Future: An Inquiry into
the Limits of the Possible,' that ”Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic.” Such magic has been demonstrated by advanced
technology.
The Man behind the Magic
Chu Junhao,
an infrared physicist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,
unveiled his invention at a virtual event called the 'Super Night of Science.'
He and his team have engineered an invisible cloak, bringing a figment of
sci-fi novels and fantastical stories into the three-dimensional world of
reality.
According
to the South China Morning Post, the "InvisDefense coat enables the wearer
to be visible but not detected as human, with potential implications for
anti-drone technology and battlefield applications."
Once
the news gained widespread attention, it created a stir on the internet.
Netizens aptly drew comparisons with the invisible cloak in the Harry Potter
universe. One user commented, "When I read Harry Potter as a child, I
never imagined that someone would one day be able to appear in front of me
wearing such a cloak of invisibility. Now, it seems that day may not be too far
away.
"Whether in reality or the realm of
nature and animals, there exists a considerable amount of 'invisibility,' and
it's not magic but a scientific method," stated Chu Junhao.
During the event, Chu demonstrated this
"invisibility" by making his legs disappear using a remarkable
material known as "lenticular grating," which facilitates the regular
refraction of light. The enchanting display prompted gasps from the onlooking
audience.
The Science behind the Magic
This
innovative technology relies on cutting-edge materials designed to manipulate
light. It comprises rows of minuscule cylindrical convex lenses arranged into a
cylindrical shape, where each lens compresses the object behind it into a thin
strip. With a sufficient number of lenses, the object is broken down into an
infinite series of identical thin strips, creating the illusion of invisibility
for observers.
Furthermore,
Chu highlighted that the refractive index can be employed for achieving
'invisibility.' For instance, objects made of high borosilicate glass materials
can also appear 'invisible' when moving in glycerol, which has a refractive
index close to that of the glass.
This
principle is integral to the realization of an "invisible cloak."
When the fabric of a garment matches the refractive index of the surrounding
air, individuals can seamlessly become 'invisible' upon wearing it, explained
the expert.
Still Not Enough
