Ever fancied that invisibility cloak from Harry Potter?
Of course you have - and excitingly the reality might not be as far off as you'd think.
Researchers from the University of Rochester in New York have released a video showing how
you can now move an object which is cloaked by a device they have
created and it still remains hidden to the human eye.
The invention follows in the footsteps of the Rochester Cloak, unveiled in 2014, which uses four lenses in a line at specific distances from each other to make objects appear invisible.
Researchers from the University of
Rochester in New York have released a video showing how you can now move
an object which is cloaked by a device they have created and it still
remains hidden to the human eye
The invention follows in the footsteps
of the Rochester Cloak , unveiled in 2014, which uses four lenses in a
line at specific distances from each other to make objects appear
invisible
The scientists have now been able to use flat screen displays to extend the range of angles that can be hidden from view.
Their
method lays out how cloaks of arbitrary shapes, that work from multiple
viewpoints, may be practically realized in the near future using
commercially available digital devices.
The clip shows PhD student Joseph Choi using a camera, an iPad and a special lenticular lens.
He films the background before processing it so it can be displayed on the iPad thought the lens.
Usually
the viewer at this stage could spot the difference between the
background and a video of it played on a screen in front by changing
their point of view
But
the researchers explain in the video: 'This system calculates the
direction and position of the light rays so they can be properly
displayed as if they were unobstructed.
'As a result, the area behind the display is effectively cloaked.
The scientists have now been able to use flat screen displays to extend the range of angles that can be hidden from view
Their method lays out how cloaks of
arbitrary shapes, that work from multiple viewpoints, may be practically
realized in the near future using commercially available digital
devices
The clip shows PhD student Joseph Choi
using a camera, an iPad and a special lenticular lens. He films the
background before processing it so it can be displayed on the iPad
thought the lens
'As the viewpoint shifts, the image on the display changes accordingly, keeping it aligned with the background.'
Those
who consider equipping themselves with an iPad somewhat burdensome for
the 'magic' effect will be relieved to know that flexible computer
screens that can be rolled up like newspapers have already been
developed and would be more practical than an iPad.
One
problem the the device so far is the poor resolution of the image,
which is significantly lower than the resolution of the purely optical
device.
Furthermore
if the image behind the screen alters, the effect is lost as the
background would need to be filmed and processed again, which would take
several minutes.
However Choi and his adviser Professor John Howell, are hoping to soon be able to produce the same effect in real time.
The Rochester Digital Cloak is patent pending.
By
Harriet Mallinson. dailymail 
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