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Now you see it, now you don’t: German scientists successfully demonstrate the ability to render an object unseen.

The ability to become invisible has deep roots in the human psyche, figuring into our fantasy lives and into our entertainment choices as well. Whether in science fiction or the Harry Potter series, the capacity to pass undetected holds great allure in spite of the ability remaining out of reach.

Writing for Reuters, Kate Kelland reports that a team of German scientists has successfully developed a cloaking device, made up of a series of stacked, honeycombed crystalline lenses, that achieves the illusion of invisibility by refracting light waves around the object. Item number one for the successful trial of the innovation turns out to have been gold (which makes perfect sense, in that if you happen to so fortunate as to be in possession of some gold, you’ll probably want to keep it out of sight).

The technological breakthrough is currently published in the journal Science. As to what developments may arise next, or how soon they may appear, the researchers aren’t saying. But for now, having demonstrated that the principle of simulated invisibility can in fact be achieved has them excited both about the achievement as well as its future potential. Lead author of the study Tolga Ergin, from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, explains to Reuters:

http://www.tonic.com/article/invisibility-cloak-german-scientists-hide-gold-cloaking-device/