The idea of invisibility has fascinated people for millennia and has been an inspiration or ingredient of myths, novels and films, from the Greek legend of Perseus versus Medusa to H.G. Well's Invisible Man. Dr. Ulf Leonhardt at Scotland's St. Andrews University has recently published two papers concerning the potential realization of invisibility using modern MetaMaterials.
DARPA states that “MetaMaterials are a new class of ordered nanocomposites that exhibit exceptional properties not readily observed in nature. These properties arise from qualitatively new response functions that are: (1) not observed in the constituent materials and (2) result from the inclusion of artificially fabricated, extrinsic, low dimensional inhomogeneities.”
According to Dr. Leonhardt, the key to achieving invisibility lies in creating transparent materials capable of bending light around objects hidden behind them. While seemingly far-fetched, light-bending phenomena such as hot road mirages or water refractions occur naturally. Leonhardt claims that these phenomena are possible "because light will always take the shortest route, which is not always a straight line. All you need is a transparent material that bends light around an object like water moving around a stone."
Theoretically, MetaMaterials created using nanotechnology, which is a necessary tool due to the small scale of light waves, will soon channel waves of specific frequencies. Leonhardt claims that "there will be advances on both the technological and theoretical sides which will make invisibility happen in the not too distant future. This is not completely beyond the range of present technology and theoretical ideas." [via Dr. Ulf Leonhardt; suggested by Bill Auld, Seattle.]
The development of sophisticated digital fabrication technologies has led to the increased dimensionalization of patterns in architecture. Wallpaper, for example, has been utilized for over a millenium as a flat medium; yet recent tools give it dimensional relief.
B&N Industries now offers Iconic panels, which are created using the latest CNC technology and a process which forms laminate material over a carved wood core. Iconic panels are offered in a variety of abstract line patterns which are depicted solely via surface relief. The panels are very durable, and may be sawn, nailed, screwed, glued, or simply mounted on walls. [via B&N Industries; suggested by Clayton Whitman, Seattle.]
Scientists at BAE Systems have created an artificial surface that grips incredibly tightly without glue or pressure. A sheet of this material just over 1 square meter could be used to suspend the weight of an average family car.
Called Synthetic Gecko, the new adhesive is inspired by the gecko lizard, whose ability to scurry up vertical walls and windows has intrigued people for centuries and inspired comic book characters like Spiderman.
“We wanted to mimic this ability,” said Jeff Sargent, research physicist at BAE Systems’ Advanced Technology Centre. “We recognized that a synthetic material could have tremendous engineering potential not only in our own aerospace and defense businesses, but also in other commercial applications.”
The gecko gets its ability to stick without glue from the soles of its feet which are patterned with millions of tiny hairs with split ends. At the tip of each split is a mushroom shaped cap less than one-thousandth of a millimeter across. These ensure the gecko’s toes are always in very close contact with the surface beneath – so close that molecular forces of attraction create the grip. The grip is released by a peeling action when the animal lifts its foot to break the bond.
Using their micro-engineering clean room facilities, BAE Systems’ scientists, led by Jeff Sargent and Sajad Haq, created layers comprising thousands of microscopic polyimide stalks with splayed tips, closely resembling the mushroom headed hairs on a gecko’s feet.
The next step in the development program comprises further research into the influence of surface roughness and water on the adhesive properties of the material, to ensure that it is effective on a wide range of surface roughness.
A number of potential business applications for Gecko have been identified, ranging from instant repair patches for holed structures such as fuel tanks and aircraft skins, access panels without fasteners or even the rapid attachment of armor panels.
Synthetic Gecko could also be used for new building materials, personal safety harnesses and for super grip tires and training shoes. [via BAE Systems; suggested by Andrew Zolli, Brooklyn.]
