Invisibility Crystals

Feb-04-11 Researchers have discovered that naturally occurring calcite crystals can be used to render tiny visible objects invisible.

Working independently, researchers from MIT and the University of Birmingham discovered that by gluing together two layers of calcite crystal with their crystal orientations in opposite directions and placing the crystal on top of an object placed on a horizontal mirror bends the light in such a way that the object is rendered invisible.

While the process is still limited and a bit expensive, researchers are hopeful that the discovery could lead to practical applications, such as observing undersea animals in their natural environments and, in a reverse application, leading to better microscopes.

More Info about this Invention:

[POPSCI.COM]
[MIT]

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