Invisibility Cloak Evades Underwater Sonar

Cloaking has been theorized in many previous studies, but only now have researchers been able to make it a reality. A team from the University of Illinois has unveiled their latest creation: an acoustic cloaking material that hides underwater objects from sonar.

The material is estimated to be the size and shape of a compact disc, and is comprised of 16 concentric rings that each has a different index of refraction for sound. When sonar systems attempt to identify an underwater object, the material bends the waves around it as if the object wasn't there. The sound waves then re-form on the other side without experiencing any distortion.

Nicholas Fang, professor of mechanical science and engineering at the University of Illinois and leader of the project, predicts that the cloaking material could possibly be used for medical device applications "pretty soon, maybe five years from now". Fang and his team continue to test the device on a range of shapes and now 3D structures as well.

Source: TechNewsDaily