Engineers Devise Invisibility Shield

GerritHoll points out an article in Nature according to which "researchers at the University of Pennsylvania 'say that a "plasmonic cover" could render objects "nearly invisible to an observer.' Earlier attempts at invisibility worked by colouring a screen to match its background, like a chameleon. The described technique is new, because it works by the concept of reducing light scattering. It is not a 'magic cloak,' however, because it will not work for the full range of visible light and needs to be adjusted precisely for the shape of the object. However, the concept could find an application in stealth technology."

Comments

Cloak of invisibility?

[xsfo]

What sort of armor class do you get with that?

Re:Cloak of invisibility?

[Mr. Bad Example]

> What sort of armor class do you get with that?

I'd tell you, but I can't find the fucking thing.

Re:Cloak of invisibility?

[Xaroth]

First, it has to be a power of 2 in order to be a size-based AC modifier.

Taking the medium size class to max out at 2 meters, microscopic would be about 16 size classes below medium (since each size class has a maximum of one half the height of the one above it; I'm taking ~30 micrometers max to be "microscopic". It is, of course, a DM's call as to what, exactly, would constitute microscopic - adjust accordingly.)

This would give an AC bonus (and bonus to hit) of +32,768. Good luck finding a smith to craft armor or weapons for that size class, though.

For contrast, the parent's "+100" size bonus would roughly correlate to the +128 bonus that's actually possible, and would exist for a creature no bigger than 7.8125mm - hardly subatomic. In fact, this would be the appropriate size class for many normal insects.

Second, Invisibility grants a 50% miss chance due to total concealment, not an increase to AC.

Of course, 2.5% of the time you'll still hit it anyway (what with the whole "a 20 always hits" rule + total concealment). So, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I'm sure your DM would allow you to take 20 on hitting something that poses so little threat to you (assuming you weren't otherwise potentially in peril).

</pedantic>

Oh, and smile. You know it's funny.

obligatory

[Anonymous Coward]

I didn't see that one coming.

Re:obligatory

[kryten_nl]

Or, "I'll believe it, when I see it."

I already have one of these

[Anonymous Coward]

See, it hides my identity when I post on Slashdot!

Re:I already have one of these

[mrchaotica]

I have one too!

Re:I already have one of these

[mrchaotica]

Oops.

Sounds like someone's been tokin' the hookah

[MooseByte]

From the article: "And crucially, the effect only works when the wavelength of the light being scattered is roughly the same size as the object. So shielding from visible light would be possible only for microscopic objects."

OK. So if I have this straight... "You see that thing you can't see because it's too small? Well we just made it invisible! Please send more grant funding. And a few burritos. We're like, totally hungry dude."

Uh huh....

Also...

[Create an Account]

From the article:
...it would be more like the shielding used by the Romulans in the Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror" in 1966, which hid their spaceships at the push of a button.

...it's called a "cloaking device", you insensitive clod!

Re:Invisibility cloaking

[ozbird]

Why do surgeons need an invisibility cloak? To hide from malpractice lawsuits?

I feel so cheated!

[serutan]

This article is like going to a movie after seeing the really great preview, and finding out that the really great preview contains every single really great moment in the movie.

Re:Invisibility cloaking

[Anonymous Coward]

How long til I can buy this stuff at Walmart?

As soon as they can find a way to make this stuff in China.

I already have one of these.

[SeaFox]

It's made me invisible to women for 10 years now.
I wish I could turn it off.

Skeptical

[ggvaidya]

I won't believe this 'til I see it.

Re:Indeed, it's pretty far from advertised...

[flakac]

Absolutely... if we can just get our weapons' size down to a few microns, and get (Al Quaida|Ruskies|Iraq|Iran|North Korea|Massachusetts) to limit their surveillance techniques to the proper wavelength, then this will be really breakthrough technology!

Fricking perfect

[mykdavies]

the effect only works when the wavelength of the light being scattered is roughly the same size as the object

This would make it the perfect for those awkward moments when your nanobots are being attacked by lasers (mounted on sharks?)

Monty Python

[vistic]

hmmm...

I don't think these engineers devised any sort of "invisibility shield" ...maybe they're just really dull....

host: With me now is Mr. Thomas Walters of West Hartlepool who is totally invisible. Good evening, Mr Walters. (turns to empty chair)

walters: Over here, Hughie. (host turns to see boring, visible man)

host: Mr. Walters, are you sure you're invisible?

walters: Oh yes, most certainly.

host: Well, Mr. Walters, what's it like being invisible?

walters: Well, for a start, at the office where I work I can be sitting at my desk all day and the others totally ignore me. At home, even though we are in the same room, my wife does not speak to me for hours, people pass me by in the street without a glance in my direction, and I can walk into a room without...

host: Well, whilst we've got interesting people, we met Mr. Oliver Cavendish who...

walters: Even now you yourself, you do hardly notice me...