On The Quest To Invisibility - Metamaterials and Cloaking: Andrea Alu at TEDxAustin

Realizing the world's first 3D cloak of invisibility, engineering professor Andrea Alú explains how the discovery of metamaterials is pushing technology beyond conventional limits, producing vastly new opportunities beyond what nature can offer.
This emerging technology offers extensive applications in bioscience, energy, defense and plenty more we can only imagine from here.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@17190chejo]

I met Prof. Alu two times this year. The man is a genius. Comments down here seem ignorant of the actual science going in the world. Its a bit sad too.

[@giupo]

If you don't (because you can't) understand someone, badmouth him/her. Andrea is a remarkable scholar and a true genius. I agree with you, it's really sad.

[@SK-tg1vw]

Chetan how can I write to him

[@fractalantennas3241]

The lecture is fine, as a lecture. Don't knock his accent. Its in bad taste to do so.

[@emmanueloverrated]

​@King Arthur He doesn't do it on purpose... If americans achieved to speak more than one language, they'd be discovering that it can be tricky, especialy in a stressful situation, to pick the right word in language that you don't naturaly speak. Especially, when the word you happen to pick exists in you primary language and you don't realise that this word is sophisticated in the target language. Laugh, but he does something you probably don't. Learning a language expands your horizons. This is a simple example of that.

[@mylespl]

Sooo the only thing everyone has to complain about is the way he clears his throat? He clearly has an accent and is doing a presentation in front of an audience with his second/third language. Give the guy some credit. He doesnt even have a glass of water. Id be nervous too!

[@smokey04200420]

Wow he managed to make a sphere look transparent to radio waves with half wavelengths larger than the sphere. I can get the same results with a glass sphere of the same size. Good job. Pat yourself on the back.

[@akhileshpandey123]

why are you the most coolest thought of my day.. "the invisible rush.."..thanks ted bro!!

[@Marginal391]

Thanks for the vid 🙏.

[@soulinkg7542]

We’ve done it three thousand years ago n still in use. Ethiopia 🇪🇹 is the land of knowledge

[@nicholaslandolina]

Solomon Gebremichael sure where people starve

[@soulinkg7542]

NICHOLAS LANDOLINA that’s a big lie, have been reported by BBC & ALJAZEERA type of international media’s since before I was born but I am the Witness for my country there were no hunger or starvation that’s different from any other country and everybody n every country has their own problems but you don’t see that on the news.

[@lafeo0077]

I read this in Michio Kaku's book! Visible Spectrum is what we need wow!

[@smokey04200420]

He uses radio waves, because the wavelengths are 2x the diameter of the sphere. You can get the same results with a ball of lead with the same size, it doesn’t even have to be transparent.

[@troubadude]

The man IS a genius!

[@MrGonzaloPV]

Where could I find the paper which explains all this stuff??

[@srobart]

I always figured "invisibility" would come with many little cameras on one side of an object and many little screens (or one incredibly high-resolution screen) that could be seamlessly folded or manipulated around an object. This would allow us to digitally project whatever was behind the object onto the front of the object, giving us the illusion of invisibility. Of course we're not there yet with our current technology. We do have screens that can be bent, folded and otherwise manipulated, but they're not high enough resolution to fool the human eye into believing it's not there or believing the image it produces to be REAL. Either way, it would be neat to be invisible, no matter how it's done. :)

[@nigeeb2002]

Scott, I actually think in the same lines as you since 2004 but i believe that the technology is out there and US government has already developed this. Think how dangerous this will be if the public gets hold of such technology (Invisibility). So i believe that we will continue to get smoke screens of people saying they need this and that and the technology is close to being developed. Hiding the truth or deterring us that full invisibility is out there. We may only hear about it in a war when the US is under pressure and there back is against a wall. "invisibility" would come with many little cameras on one side of an object and many little screens (or one incredibly high-resolution screen) that could be seamlessly folded or manipulated around an object. Scott R 2004 (AGREE 100%)

[@pedr0dd]

"Your" solution only works for one view point. Look from a little different angle and the effect is gone.

[@williambailey2426]

Here is the thing, you would still cast a shadow so some parts would be darker then the resy

[@jonahansen]

@@nigeeb2002 - you are basically correct. This technology has been developed into a practical method for cloaking Unmanned Airborne Vehicles by the military that are being used for warrantless surveillance and more nefarious applications. Based on personal experience... They do not cast shadows, but do still move air in order to stay airborne and that can be detected if they fly close to trees, through smoke, etc. Also, they only operate at a range of wavelengths - the ones I had experience with are invisible for visible light, but could be detected using microwave motion sensors, especially the rotors.

[@jonahansen]

@@nigeeb2002 - Should've added that it is even more dangerous in the hands of the military and law enforcement, as they are experts in knowing how to "get away with it", and consider themselves above the law. And you are also right about smoke screens, etc; note how few recent videos there are pertaining to this topic. They are trying to keep it secret because of its tremendous potential for applications and the power that it inures to those with the technology. Think of all the information they could steal without any way of getting caught... Perhaps they have already created "self-funding" departments which use the technology to obtain funds and won't even appear in secret budgets.

[@SK-tg1vw]

Absolute genius

[@fractalantennas3241]

Several people are complaining about Alu's speed and accent. Nonsense. Just run it at 0.75 speed and you will have no problem. His English is better than your Italian!

[@TheAiims]

like it hearty ,,,

[@KIRAnovantaquattro]

I love his english XD italian!

[@randomuwuploads]

ESATTO! it's so easy understand this... u.u

[@ginjupallisaisucharitha208]

I just want a confirmation that is invisibility cloak really made or still the process is going on

[@kristoffermatsson8476]

What software did he use for the cylinder/cloak animations?

[@emmanueloverrated]

The best tool for that would be a programming language... Python or Matlab?

[@franjdiaz5123]

CST Microwave Studio, they explained it in the paper (DOI: 10.1002/adma.201202624)

[@DanielNorton]

Latka Gravas lives!

[@OCS.7]

All right Latka. Well explained. LOL.

[@NoPeeking]

I highly doubt the government would allow anyone to own such an item until they were provided the means to easily detect it. Even then, I'm sure they would require such a heavy licensing and registration fee that few could afford it. .

[@Badboyifier]

only the richest who are already evil and selfish

[@NightWatchI3]

Its not human, but it’s effective. About the cigarettes I even don’t need to mention studies that show that they can temporary boost your mental capacity or what a bless they are for economy, I will just say this. Cigarettes are like sleeping around - you get nothing good out of it except for satisfaction and you can lose your life. This doesn’t mean it should be illegal or should have never been invented, it’s up to the individual to decide if it’s worth it. End.

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

Sounds like Andy Kaufman's Latka.

[@NKCrimson]

Look at your phone. You cant see trough, but when you turn the camera on, you see troug it. If they invent something like a phone but with two screens ( front and back) +two cameras (front and back again) it will turn transparent and for example the battery in it will stay unseen... Im sure it will work in even bigger scales. The only problem is it will consume energy and will not be 3D hidden... This basically fucks up my idea :(

[@iirateddown2]

fluency and/or mastery of a language has nothing to do with accent

[@mr.availablebalance]

Do you notice that he says "umm" or "mmm" after almost every sentence? Anyways some pretty cool technological advancements!

[@voldr0n]

needles? Antenas? Can you imagine invisible tanks and soldiers?

[@ganjeli]

good now i can build my nanosuit :)

[@socrates4002]

H.G. wells probably came up with it in a dream with the help of D.M.T in rem sleep. my theory

[@W1001766]

He (my professor) just gave me a 15/100 on my second quiz

[@Beefmongering]

Wenxuan Wu Hey I got a 15 too!

[@abhirupasaha195]

Omg is he that cruel :/

[@nostradamus1915]

Well me too, but try to speak in that situation with a lot of people watching you.

[@Astrobrant2]

Honest, I haven't watched the video yet, but after 40 years of skeptical study of extraordinary claims I'm going to predict that I will not see a demonstration of anything disappearing on that stage. I got as far as "invisible man" when I paused the video. Let's see how close he comes to that.

[@Astrobrant2]

Yep, I was right. He didn't even show a video of a successful demonstration. Why did he use radio waves in his experiment instead of visible light? Because the vast majority of materials are virtually transparent to radio waves! Duh! His little animation frames at 14:43 were _not_ actual images of radio waves. They were concocted computer graphics. That cylinder would either be transparent to radio waves with or without his "device," or it would be opaque to them, also with or without his "device." This guy is a crackpot. U of Texas at Austin needs to send him packing and hire a real scientist to work on real science.

[@AltsasuarraUnai]

Astrobrant2 Jeezz.... it's annoying when you find youtube comments whose author has no idea of what's he is speaking about... ¬¬

[@Astrobrant2]

AltsasuarraUnai Make your case.

[@HamPuddle]

Astrobrant2 ''Honest, I haven't watched the video yet, but after 40 years of skeptical study of extraordinary claims I'm going to predict that I will not see a demonstration of anything disappearing on that stage.'' No shit? ''Why did he use radio waves in his experiment instead of visible light? Because the vast majority of materials are virtually transparent to radio waves! Duh! '' He took an object that was first visible in RF and made it invisible, wtf have you done in your 40 years of skeptical study?

[@Astrobrant2]

HamPuddle "He took an object that was first visible in RF and made it invisible," Did he _really_? Did Uri Geller _really_ bend spoons with his mind? wtf have you done in your 40 years of skeptical study? I've learned how to spot bullshit a mile away.

[@fractalantennas3241]

Why does a presentation in English need English subtitles??

[@fractennainc]

Full microwave cloaking has already been acheived , in three dimensions,on large sizes, with thin skins, with great bandwidth, quite some time ago. I don't see anything new here. Furthermore, the patent office issued a patent on it; 8253639. And a person has been cloaked: peer-reviewed published LAST November. So why are ya'll so jazzed about this talk?

[@salsa090968]

It’s been eight years. Where are we now? Cloaking aircraft carriers?

[@AnoahWang]

realize realized realize

[@smokey04200420]

Wow he managed to make a sphere look transparent to radio waves with half wavelengths larger than the sphere. I can get the same results with a glass sphere of the same size. Good job. Pat yourself on the back.

[@MaskedGreenmagician]

Bending light invisibility quantum stealth metamaerals tesalas government antigravity space craft

[@markmccormack7206]

Bill Page Where did you get antigravity spacecraft from?!

[@MaskedGreenmagician]

From my cool Christian illusionist Mitchell Leary and in Google groups and now on you search engines too

[@MaskedGreenmagician]

KZbin search engines and google search engines government ufos tesalas antigravity top secret ufos

[@MaskedGreenmagician]

Bending light invisibility quantum stealth nano bots masklyn the war illusionist

[@romeoboamorte8938]

Actually, there is.

[@ahmedmogamedhassan9063]

This can make by easy way if make the index of object n=1 it will not see that object hhh

[@illusoryveils]

Oh this is wonderful! I'm sure this won't end up becoming something we wish we could dis-invent. Invisible nukes, invisible spec ops, invisible drones, etc. It would be great for drug cartels though. Ah, silver linings.

[@salsa090968]

Here we are 2021. The US abandoned thousands of NVG’s in Afghanistan and drones. The US use to be a dominating force because of these technologies. They owned the night. Now China & Russia are reverse engineering these technologies. The US will have to step up their production of Graphene products before their enemies realize their full potential. The race is on. And the jab’s delivery system is now comprised of lipidnano particles (Graphene) I’m sure those making BILLIONS have no desire to unmake these advances.

[@apexvenom4666]

What about to get light bending prisms. The opposite of pixels on a tv. They reflect the light or something. .....I had a dream that, that’s how aliens observe us. With Invisibility cloaks.

[@markhorton8578]

Nice talk, the story of actually being invisible never interested me. If your eyes had a refractive index of zero you would also be blind, unable to detect anything other than a general sense of light or dark. The cloak is a big improvement; I hope it never works in the visible light range. The possibilities for crime seem to far outweigh good applications.

[@e12varunio]

You could say that for literally any major modern invention

[@markhorton8578]

Varun Chaubey No I couldn't but if you can, here are a few of about a thousand I could easily list of the top of my head...smallpox vaccine, television, pacemakers, bubble wrap, double glazing, ABS braking systems, non-stick pans, artificial limbs, larva lamps. Please let me know the evil purposes to which these are put :-)

[@FourTwentyMagic]

Mark Horton you could use the vaccine to artificially mutate the smallpox virus to become immune to it making it possible to infect people once again. Telivision is evil - the media is all propaganda and control. Pacemakers seem pretty good :). etc... you get the point.

[@markhorton8578]

Sort of, but its a weak argument, for example you are saying what if you made the smallpox vaccine into something else is like saying what if you made a plough into a gun, and saying that that plough can be used for evil purposes. Speech can be propaganda and control. Televising it does not alter the content.

[@MaskedGreenmagician]

The goverment already has this cloaking outfit sense 1947

[@sulufest]

Is this Latka reborn?? That U Andy Kaufman??

[@fractalantennas3241]

This is hardly the "world's first 3D cloak of invisibility". Look up Cohen's work.

[@NightWatchI3]

In modern terms even if you arm every Russian civilian with an AK-47 all it takes to stop them is 30 pilot fighters with atomic bombs. We have come to the point when head count doesn’t matter anymore in warfare so if you want to have a better chance to win a war sending more men to the front or killing more enemy troops does you almost no good. This is with the exception when the conflict is entirely in your or your ally’s country. Continues... 2

[@lordmcswain1436]

Actual, they are more likely to be used in medicine.

[@KIRAnovantaquattro]

Puoi parlare in Italiano, lo parlo anche io :P

[@SilvanaDiRavenna]

I don't care about the cloak, but he's so cute!

[@nicholaslandolina]

The cylinder isn’t completely invisible

[@ChristopherSleeps]

its totally mindblowing but at the same time pretty obvious that it will be used for horrible things ... another invention that should have never been made.

[@nosculgrab2644]

True that! Or they may send a C.I.A. or spy to steal the blue prints to the first cloak. I hope I can make one for myself. lol

[@geirandretonning766]

Just use magnifying glass and you can cloak your hand or something because if you use a magnifying glass on a right distance you see thru your hand, magnifying glass on a given distance bends the lights around the object,this you can do home, and soft magnifying glass we have hath for a long time,but this is a lot more Hi tech. But really the same,

[@aiksi5605]

ItAlia

[@ChristopherSleeps]

oh there are SO many:) ...what about atomic bombs, torture devices and chemical weapons? even things like cigarettes ...you can't trust humans to use something like an invisibility cloak in a responsible way.

[@NightWatchI3]

If atomic bombs weren't invented 1) we probably wouldn't have nuclear energy 2) The Cold War would probably be a 3rdWW instead, that would be way more damaging than the previous 2. The more destructive weapons you can come up with the less the soldier count matters. In medieval terms the commander with more fighters usually wins in direct confrontation. So if you wanted to have a stronger army you had to a) arm more men b) kill more of the enemy's men. Continues... 1

[@KIRAnovantaquattro]

Infatti :P

[@MegaLol153]

May Ta Ma tea reals

[@teFlyingNinjaSM]

You should understand how the internet works. Show us some proof or it didn't happen.

[@wizardtech1]

Meta materials HA! its all about those meta molecules.

[@fractalantennas3241]

The so-called "invisible antennas" in this talk are patented under US patent 9847583. That is not Andrea Alu's work BTW.

[@gghbgtdg8047]

omg

[@iirateddown2]

sounds a lot like the Spanish accent

[@rotofoto7650]

Hate the accent but he's from my University, so that's OK. Great discussion!

[@sageyash]

You obviously didn't read his comment he said " will not be 3D hidden" LOL

[@SilvanaDiRavenna]

hahah, you're funny. Thanks.

[@NicolasConnault]

I don't see what's invisible about this video...

[@rijulb]

Then it works!

[@TryHardFace]

Rijul Bhatia hahaha

[@MrNyxeka]

microwave cloaking is hiding something from a microwave...

[@omniscientomnipresent5500]

Recently a invisibility cloak have been shown

[@nostradamus1915]

I don't know why, the italians (me included) have this strange accent

[@ricardosoto5770]

Italian has very singsongy, almost like musical intonation. It carries into english and spanish- Argentines speak spanish bith the typical Italian musical tone.

[@TommySasaki]

I know right, so annoying. They should use better mics. Interesting technology though.

[@NightWatchI3]

Like what? And if you are about to say atomic bombs first read the previous comments.

[@MegaLol153]

Ool tra fast

[@thyrsus07]

He talk like Albert Einstein.

[@NightWatchI3]

There are no inventions that should have never been made.

[@livelongandprosper70]

no coup de gras ? Fail !

[@troubadude]

don't you mean coup de grace? Gras is grease, or fat.

[@SkyrimGuide]

hate how he keeps clearing his throat like that :P

[@SecondComingTwice]

Radio waves "follow the same physical laws as light?" Do they have momentum? Bust electrons loose from metal molecules? Come in photonic quantum "packets" through a duality of slits modifiable from particle to wave by mere observation? Won't be fooled again.. Ooh, Shame on the moon. Heard recently on a child's frequency-modulated transistor radio receiver with a chrome-plated extendable antenna with tinker-toy spool affixed at the top with duct tape and gorilla-glue.. Nonsense. Insulting, actually.

[@Lammont38]

I like how when these people alreadly discovered something they keep pretending their still trying to discover it. Just to keep getting funds for research I suppose.

[@armandblake]

My God! I'm Italian but his English really sucks!

[@eggzeck]

I cannot listen to that horrible accent long