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Mathematicians Design Invisible Tunnel

New calculations show how to make an electromagnetic "wormhole" — a tube that is invisible from the sides but allows light to shine down the center. The practical applications are a ways off, as even the design of a spherical invisibility cloak has not advanced beyond working (in theory) for a single wavelength of visible light.

25 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. invisible from all sides by seven+of+five · · Score: 4, Funny

    anyway, it seems to work on the website.

  2. But what is it good for? by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not to be a party pooper, but is there really any application for this tunnel? You can't see it, you can't see out of it, and you need to build it so it can only go to places you can already go.

    In NJ we already have tunnels that seem to do nothing. We call them the Holland Tunnel & Lincoln Tunnel.

    1. Re:But what is it good for? by someone1234 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Is it hidden from Google Maps?

      --
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    2. Re:But what is it good for? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      In NJ we already have tunnels that seem to do nothing. We call them the Holland Tunnel & Lincoln Tunnel.

      Q : Why are New Yorkers so depressed?
      A : Because the light at the end of the tunnel is New Jersey!

    3. Re:But what is it good for? by Strilanc · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's essentially an invisible wire. Just think of the possibilities! Invisible tripwire, an INVISIBLE clutter of wires behind your desk, and freaky rope bondage! ... maybe we should reconsider building this.

    4. Re:But what is it good for? by Torvaun · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Damn, kicked the network cable out again. Aw, shit, they've already got that invisible crap here? Now I'm doomed."

      --
      I see your informative link, and raise you a pithy comment.
  3. spelling? by skeldoy · · Score: 5, Funny

    "advenced"? "are a ways of"? That futuristic language must be from the other side of the wormhole!

  4. This thread is useless without pictures by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If anyone is interested, I found a photo:

    1. Re:This thread is useless without pictures by rdoger6424 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I have a better picture right here

      --
      "Hello 911? I just tried to toast some bread, and the toaster grew an arm and stabbed me in the face!"
    2. Re:This thread is useless without pictures by FLAGGR · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's only invisible from the sides, not when you are looking in the hole.

  5. Beating Chuck Norris by Tribbin · · Score: 2, Funny

    So now you can *KLANG* Chuck Norris on the head with a tube, and he won't see it coming?

    I don't think one would have much time to enjoy the moment though, 'cause he will round-house-kick the tube into your navel.

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    1. Re:Beating Chuck Norris by Tribbin · · Score: 2, Funny

      Second, who round house kicks anything into the naval? Chuck Norris does.
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  6. Fake! by markild · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bah.. I just checked out ThinkGeek, and [b]still[/b] no 1:12 working model of a Stargate..

    I mean, what's the use of this technology if they're not putting it to good use :P

    --
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    Mulder: Yes we should, but not for this.
  7. it's a series of tubes by kirils · · Score: 3, Funny

    hell, yeah. now we'll be able to download pr0n without others seeing.

    --
    Do not. Touch. Down.
  8. Never late for work ! by Joebert · · Score: 4, Funny

    Joebert ! you're late !
    No I'm not sir, I got an early start cleaning up inside the tube.

    --
    Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  9. Re:Wormhole? by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 3, Funny

    Here's to finally giving Bush his exit strategy in November

    I know I shouldn't reply to sigs, but I didn't read that as a sig at first. I was going to agree that given his current situation, an invisible wormhole would present Bush with an attractive exit strategy indeed.

    Ideally, one would be able to invisibly travel through the wormhole and emerge from it wearing a flight suit.

  10. Yeah right... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'll believe it when I don't see it.

  11. Math != reality by ErikZ · · Score: 4, Funny

    Math guy: "Look! We've shown how to make wormholes, with math!"

    Me: "You forgot to carry the 1."

    Math guy: "Damn!"

    --
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  12. Obl. by PineGreen · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's the dumbest fucking idea I've heard since I've been at Microsoft.

  13. A math guy, a physics guy, and a biology guy by HungWeiLo · · Score: 5, Funny

    A biologist, a physicist, and a mathematician are sitting in an outdoor cafe. They watch two people go into a building across the street. Shortly thereafter, three people come out.

    "Hmm," says the biologist. "It looks like they reproduced."

    "Nah," says the physicist. "There was obviously error in our initial measurement."

    The mathematician looks up from his coffee. "Who cares? If another person goes in, it'll be empty."

    --
    There are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from the bread factory.
    1. Re:A math guy, a physics guy, and a biology guy by cabazorro · · Score: 2, Funny

      The software developer walking by mumbled: No wonder, the door wasn't even locked.

      --
      - these are not the droids you are looking for -
  14. And in other news.. by mrbluze · · Score: 4, Funny

    Scientists develop invisible, weightless clothing that is so thin you can't feel it. One of their first customers has been the King of England, but orders have also been placed by the President and hundreds of middle aged men hoping to impress their wives this Mother's Day.

    --
    Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
  15. One word (twice) by romland · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...

    MEEP MEEP

  16. Re:Wormhole? by Rakshasa+Taisab · · Score: 2, Funny

    I thought quotes were to separate the 'wormholes' that connect two points in space, etc, from holes containing actual worms.

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  17. Problem by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

    If its invisible from the sides, how do we keep backhoe operators from digging it up?

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.