Metamaterials: The Next Photonics Revolution

Phil Saunders of SpaceChannel.org and Nikolay Zheludev of the University of Southampton, U.K., have graciously permitted OPN to reproduce this fascinating video, which is related to Zheludevs October OPN feature on metamaterial-induced transparency. It explores the science behind metamaterials—crystalline-like sub-wavelength arrangements of electromagnetic resonators that can exhibit exotic optical properties such as negative refraction and cloaking. With a focus on work being conducted at the University of Southampton, the video describes how metamaterials may usher in the next global technological paradigm shift—the photonics revolution. By controlling light with light, scientists can use metamaterials to transform defense, security and global information networks in ways that previously seemed unimaginable. Video by SpaceChannel.org.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Metamaterials
• podcast

[christhemountain]

yeah it will, but I fear its also gonna kick our asses

[CrimnsonZ]

The future's gonna kick ass

[simysimss]

very interesting thanks

[WUBBADUBDUBDUB]

@250666bmf The government gives people guns. Just saying.

[250666bmf]

If invisibility would be introduced in a kind of an object such as clothing, then imagine what that would do to the population. All the thieves, all the psychos would just come out and can do anything undetected. The government might already have something like that, just not telling the public about it, and thats the best decision there is to it, because we cannot be trusted with invisibility or anything that would give us the upper hand against eachother, simply because we are human.

[TheRandomguy112]

@CrimnsonZ dude the future is now

[sockschappercat]

@ghghghghghghggggghgh No they don't. This is still in experimental stages in the UK and the material itself is only 10 micrometres across. If tested by any military, it would be the British, as that's where - as I said before - the material is being developed.

[25alo2514m]

AND... the first use they find is warfare -.- amazing world we live in.

[piratecheese13]

if you spell phonetic phonetically you spell it wrong

this is phonetics in the sense of photons or photographs

[kiyotewolf]

@christhemountain

That's when we put a MAKE MAGAZINE orbiting private satellite which we can use as our own photon gun, to either beam energy to our own homes privately, or to blow away the nearest Space Invader. Any similarities to video game characters copyrights or uncopyrighted is purely coincidental. :M

[kiyotewolf]

If we can navigate light around objects how come we can't make a light pump which harnesses light with 0.001% energy lost store it as electricity in carbon nanotubes super capacitors absorb water one molecule at a time from a Mars Rover then release the oxygen for the atmosphere and store the hydrogen in a nanotube cage for fuel storage for the larger humans?

[kiyotewolf]

Keep your children safe during the Halloween season by using the PREDATOR child sized suit. Your child's PREDATOR suit will make your kid invisible to inappropriate leering. Any similarity to persons both living or dead is purely coincidental. :M