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Using Saran Wrap As A Polarizing Filter

Posted by timothy on from the now-shake-an-egg dept.

cdneng2 writes "Here's a University of Toronto research paper on how to use ordinary Saran Wrap as a polarized filter to turn your laptop into a stereoscope. From the paper, cellophane (costing mere pennies) proved to be a better half-waveplate than a commercial half-waveplate (costing hundreds of dollars for the required size) for rotating the polarization of white light. The same paper is cited in www.mygeekdom.com." Cellophane wonders may never cease.

13 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Works on the John? by MakoStorm · · Score: 2, Funny
    By Wrapping this toilet I am not creating Mischief!!!

    I am simply filtering the available light to the water through this filter known as ordinary clear-wrap. This is a science experiment I expect Class credit for this!

    Boy, I wonder if that would have helped back then.

  2. All right, this is cool by Henry+V+.009 · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is pretty neat stuff. Making 3D monitors using saranwrap is like starting nuclear fusion with old coffee grinds.

    1. Re:All right, this is cool by BrynM · · Score: 3, Funny
      Making 3D monitors using saranwrap is like starting nuclear fusion with old coffee grinds.
      It's just not good coffee unless it can melt the cup :)
      --
      US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
  3. Greatest Dupe Ever by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think what makes this dupe particularly amusing (poignant? telling?) is the fact that it links to the article it duplicates. Sheesh, don't these editors read anything?

    1. Re:Greatest Dupe Ever by Hell+O'World · · Score: 4, Funny

      I don't know what you guys are getting so worked up about.
      "Stereoscopic technique for generating 3D displays from cellophane and a laptop"
      doesn't sound anything like
      "how to use ordinary Saran Wrap as a polarized filter to turn your laptop into a stereoscope"
      to me! I mean... "polarized". Definantly some new information there, right?

  4. Re:again... by RealityMogul · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So how does an editor manage to link to the original story on slashdot, which references the same article link, without realizing it's a duplicate?

  5. Cellophane != Saran Wrap by Datoyminaytah · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Cellophane != Saran Wrap

    --
    assert(birth_date<time-86400)
    1. Re:Cellophane != Saran Wrap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative
      Lazy. Lazy.

      Here's some links. Cellophane is made from cellulose.

      While plastic wrap (aka Saran Wrap) is made from "plastics" like PE and PVC.

      Unlike many english names. These ones make some sence.

  6. Dupe in 3D by jolshefsky · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dude, put the articles side-by-side and cross your eyes. You'll see it in 3D!

    --
    --- Jason Olshefsky

    Karma: Poser (mostly affected by adding this line long after everyone else did)

  7. We're Due by mugnyte · · Score: 3, Funny


    Mike Tyson, bite somebody. News is dry and we're repeating posts about polarization to effect 3D. Does anybody really want to sit with their eyes crossed for any period of time? To to see things in 3D? BTW, the rest of the world comes in 3D for free.

    mug

  8. Not Saran Wrap, CELLOPHANE by dvnelson72 · · Score: 3, Informative

    there is a difference.

  9. Just checking... by mcgroarty · · Score: 3, Funny

    Am I the only one who was worried that "Cellophane wonders" would be a not-safe-for-work link?

  10. Using saran wrap as a polar bear filter by psyconaut · · Score: 4, Funny

    (1) wrap yourself in saran warp
    (2) wait for polar bear
    (3) polar bear kills you
    (4) you stay fresh for weeks until polar bear is ready to finish consuming you
    (5) profit

    -psy