Scientists from the University of California (Berkeley) and Cornell University have advanced in the creation of invisibility cloaks by being able to manufacture miniature cloaks based on the theory described by researcher John Pendry, from Imperial College London, in 2008. As explained by Xiang Zhang, essentially what they have achieved is to transform a straight line of light into a curved line around the layer , thereby “not perceiving any change in the trajectory.” In previous experiments, metals were used that reduced the intensity of the light, which left dark spaces in the place of the object covered by the layer. In this case, an insulating material similar to silicone has been used, which prevents distortions and creates the illusion of a flat surface.
According to Zhang, the work could be extrapolated towards the construction of something similar to the magic cloak of the popular Harry Potter . In addition, this new advance opens the door to the manipulation of light and the creation of more powerful microscopes and computers.
