Electromagnetic Cloaking
Making something invisible is an old, exciting fantasy that still persists today, inspiring the imagination of children and adults alike. Star Trek and Harry Potter both use the idea of a cloak, a technology or object that renders everything within it undetectable to visible light. But is this unattainable science fiction, like traveling faster than the speed of light in Star Wars? Up until recently, the answer was yes. However, in the last decade, advances in materials science has changed that answer to maybe not. But how practical is it? Metamaterials, materials specifically designed to have certain electromagnetic properties, allow for considerable control over electromagnetic waves, allowing scientists and engineers to create devices that guide light around an object like water flowing around a rock. Other possibilities for cloaking exist as well. Yet theoretical and practical restrictions persist. How soon will you be able to buy your own invisibility cloak? Come to my talk to find out!