Harry Potter's Cloak of Invisibility in the Works

IMHO, this is all a waste of time and resources. grown-ups acting out their fantasy.

what in the world is the purpose of something that you cannot see?

even in the hands of the military, this is still a very sinister technology, and people who handle this can be tempted to misuse or abuse it. not to mention that is very very dangerous once they get to the wrong hands.

the development of this technology should not be allowed to progress.

hey, who touched me?

<...what in the world is the purpose of something that you cannot see?...>

Er, black holes stick galaxies together.....

Er, electrons are the transmission vehicle for electrical power....

Er, radio is the glue of communities....

Er, er.....

<LOL> so is AIR!

I'm not really asking about useful things that are inherently invisible. maybe I should rephrase the question to:

"Why would one make something that's visible, invisible? What use will that invisible thing be for him?"

Maybe we could put the concept to use on the pole I get stuck behind at sport events?

Adults acting out fantasy...

Hmm didnt the mobile phone essentially come from someone trying ot actually invent the communicators they use in Star Trek?

I would agree that the nefarious uses of cloaking technology are obvious but so are the problems with guns and they are still made refined and sold

those inventions you mentioned had either a need or a useful good potential. even with guns, they were deemed necessary for defense or for war. and, AFAIK, Star Trek had nothing to do with the mobile phone's development.

but what of this invisibility cloak?

if those things you mentioned found nefarious uses, how much more this one?

I just need even one good use, and I will rest. my question remains unanswered, thus far.

Just because you don't see a use for it, doesn't mean it's not worth pursuing. I agree that most obvious uses might be nefarious.

Here's an idea....many neighborhoods in suburban cities in the U.S. have strict deed restrictions. For instance some don't allow boats to be parked in the yard or driveway. Some don't even allow cars to be parked overnight in the driveway or air conditioner units to be visible from the street. An invisibility cloak would be a way to cover up those things up and keep your property from becoming an eye sore.

Or perhaps you could cover up something you dont want stolen, or it could provide invisible observation for police against criminals.

aqua_doc and JBTardis have shed light on this technology's application, and it is, that it must be applied exclusively to inanimate objects. it must never be used on or by humans, or even animals.

some applications that come to mind are hiding:

• precious objects and artifacts, such as those in museums, depositories or banks (after closing time only, obviously),
• planes and military material from enemy's aerial observation in military installations,
• the formula, equipment and all related scientific material of the cloaking technology itself.

applying them to common objects we find in the street, IMO is dangerous. I'd hate backing up my car into an invisible car.

I cringe at the thought of deploying invisible K9 attack dogs onto enemy troops in the battle field, or invisible troops firing at will, on helplessly "blind" enemy soldiers. methinks that's the height of cowardice, and no decent soldier will do that, as that is no longer warfare, but murder. it can also be used in hostage situations. but the same tool can be used for kidnapping, as well. that's why the technology must be applicable to inanimate objects only.

I rest my case. thanks, guys!

You said "shed light on this technology's application, and it is, that it must be applied exclusively to inanimate objects. it must never be used on or by humans, or even animals"

Just to clarify MY position. I made no such implication. I only answered your question as to what could the technology be. I am not saying that it should never be used on a person. What if a known rapist broke into your house while your daughter was there alone? I'd certainly want my daughter to have a cloaking device.....and a big gun too.

"...cover up something you dont want stolen..."

that's the part I like. GA there. but police? maybe only if they're incorruptible.

A guy like yourself who sees things around him as an extension of you is blind, life is not about you, it's about others and the protection of others and in such the cloak is a devise in the works for over 20 years and gaining. It is a military devise which will allow a great deal of success in missions. I suppose when you live out in the sand box with others fighting your wars it would be difficult to grasp reality as it is.

(you don't have to write in bold letters. my eyes are not that bad yet , and they're same as ALLCAPS.)

science is amoral. scientists have left it to theologians to decide. but then again, scientists don't care. at least, most of them. for them, all inventions are, or will ultimately be useful.

you don't have to go into a patriotic rant, cause I get that line. I understand the military advantage of such a technology, and I don't want to go into a discussion of whether that's right or wrong, much less moral. my apprehensions of it, is that it is akin to absolute power over the enemy. and we know what absolute power does. and how are we to control when the state decides that its citizens is its own enemy and turn it against us? if you're paranoid now, you're gonna be real paranoid with this technology in practice. concerned about privacy? well, with this, there is no such thing as privacy. for all you know, the feds are in your bedroom as you sleep with your wife.

that, of course won't matter to those who wield the technology.

wow. such a secret would be worth so much, that unruly nations could attempt to kidnap those who are developing it to use it on their enemies. just like in the movies.

I still say, kill the monster before it is hatched.

one good use, please, anyone?

Please see my previous post. Or do you not consider it a worthwhile use?

hey langyaw

one good use... the microscopes being developed with these new materials are going to be awesome!!!! How ironic, instead of 'invisibility' they will let us see! more tiny stuff. I like it.

there's some theoretical stuff being published (no working prototypes yet afaik!) to put these principles to work in constructing barriers to deflect the shock of earthquake or the tsunami waves away from a protected zone (or building). At first I thought this was a joke, but it appears to be serious...

okay, I'll admit it, I just like the LOOK of metamaterials (how silly is that, for invisibility cloaking ), very cool, fun, 3D designs

cloaking or shielding is also such a very important product in an electronic and wireless world. So much to protect... better ways to do it are .. a good thing.

right. there's also talk about using it on entire buildings to help the propagation of wireless communications - no more radio dead zones / interferences due to infrastructure! but that means no more skyline, too. hope that doesn't cause some amateur pilot to crash into those invisible buildings.

lol...The building wouldn't be invisible, idiot. Visible light is just one small part of the electro-magnetic spectrum, and an invisibility cloak could be made for any portion (already done for microwave and infrared).

Attempts to suppress this technology will be as successful as the Catholic Church's attempt to suppress the information that the earth orbits the sun or the US Governments prohibition of alcohol. Knowledge will escape and be used.

I did enjoy the quotation of wikipedia as reliable on the development of mobile phones. If you don't want to believe that the desire to make things from science fiction become science fact motivates scientists / engineers / developers then go ahead. The wikipedia article is more serious that I would normally credit and quite strong. But it traces a line of development not the inspiration of that development. Star Trek is an inspiration to many in the science and engineering field thats why Nokia amongst other develped mobile phones that open as clamshells to mimic the devices Kirk, Spock, Scotty et al used. It might be embarassing t admit it but it doesnt stop it being true.