Star Trek Cloaking Coming Soon 

Invisibility, long the subject of many sci-fi stories, just came a little closer to becoming a reality. Researchers at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering and Imperial College London have come up with a plan for a cloaking device.

Researchers say this cloaking device would work so well that onlookers would not be able to detect its presence. The plan is a blueprint and calls for the use of artificial materials called “metamaterials.”

In the plan, electromagnetic materials would flow around the object hidden inside, similar to how water flows around a rock in a stream, said David R. Smith, a Pratt professor of electrical and computer engineering.  

“The cloak would act like you’ve opened up a hole in space. All light or other electromagnetic waves are swept around the area, guided by the metamaterial to emerge on the other side as if they had passed through an empty volume of space.”

The metamaterials are on their way to being produced, researchers say. Some uses for the devices might be:

•  To conceal objects from discovery.

•  To put a cloak over an obstructing object, for instance, if your view of the ocean was obstructed by a factory, you could cloak the factory, which would improve your view.

•  Acoustic cloaks could block vibrations and seismic waves.

•  Wireless communications could be improved by eliminating the effects of obstructions.

Scientists say the theory is simple and could have been done 50 or even 100 years ago, if the advent of metamaterials had taken place then. The findings were reported in the journal Science.  

The Pencil’s Tale

An old pencil maker named Spiro, took his newest pencil aside just before he was about to pack him into a box.

“There are five things you need to know,” he said to his pencil, “before I send you out into the world. Always remember these five things — never forget them — and you will become the best pencil you can be.”

“The first thing is to remember that you will be able to do many great things, but only if you put yourself in someone else’s hands.

“From time to time you will experience a painful sharpening, but remember that this will make you a better pencil.

“Also, keep in mind that you will be able to correct any mistakes you might make along the way.

“And the most important part of you is what’s on the inside.

“And remember this, as well, upon every surface that you are used, you must leave your mark. No matter what else happens, you must continue to write.”

The pencil listened carefully and promised Spiros he would remember these five things so that he could live his life with heart and purpose.

— Attributed to Anonymous from the Internet