Invisibility cloak makes objects seem flat

The developed material essentially hides a coated surface from electromagnetic waves which prevents said waves from scattering. Image QMUL

Invisibility cloak technology is among the most coveted science fiction technologies, and a team of British scientists have moved one step closer to making it a reality.

The researchers have developed a coating that uses graded refractive index nano composite materials to reduce the electromagnetic signature of an object, Engadget reported. In essence it makes curved surfaces seem flat.

While practical real-world applications are still ways off, the breakthrough offers several possibilities, one of which allows oddly shaped antennae to be placed in unconventional places.