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Friday, 22nd May 2009 (1335 views)

US scientists have used gold to create a new form of invisibility cloak that offers numerous advantages over previous designs.

The precious metal has been utilised by researchers at Towson University in Maryland and Indiana's Purdue University, who are carrying out the theoretical work on the device in partnership with BAE Systems.

Production of the technology is being conducted by the research and design firm and two gold-coated surfaces - one flat and the other curved - have been used to cloak an object measuring around 50 microns in diameter.

Vladimir Shalaev, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University, stated that the new design uses a "tapered optical waveguide" in favour of the more complicated "metamaterials" than had been employed in previous tests.

"Instead of being reflected as normally would happen, the light flows around the object and shows up on the other side, like water flowing around a stone," he explained.

Scientists are also considering using gold in the development of a new fuel catalyst, after tests showed it has the ability to oxidise carbon monoxide.

 

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