It's only a number...
Find out exactly what is going on in the world... at a glance.
Gossip by any other name
Have a chat with the literary geniuses of our history... and find out all you ever wanted to know...
Photographic evidence
Hands up everyone who has a computer full of great photos that are becoming resigned to their digital destiny... we have the solution!
Mum's the word
A gift to all mums for Mother's Day... with no calories!
Wake up in style
If you could invent the perfect way to wake up, this may just be it...
Mischief Making
Want to throw a custard pie at your least favourite MP or celebrity? Be my guest...
Zzzzzzzzz...
Join me and indulge yourself in the best National Something Day ever!
I have virtual jet-lag! My research has taken me across the world this week. I started in South Korea, where I was stunned to learn that a 'cloak of invisibility' is now feasible. Scientists working in both the US and the UK have checked out the laws of physics and it turns out that a philosophical question is now becoming a scientific one.
I popped over to America for confirmation of their side of the story then back to Scotland to read an article in The Herald to verify. On to London for a quick visit to the Beeb and final confirmation of the original story.
I then realised my journey had taken place back in 2005! Somewhat shamed by my lack of awareness, I went in search of current information. After completing another transatlantic journey via The Register, a progress report told me how the 'cloak of invisibility' was upon us.
I am now going to disappear. At least, I would if I could get my hands on the latest fashion accessory from the House of Science!
I am so excited by this. Of course, I know the reality will essentially be applied to scientific and military use and we will all have to face the unthinkable in terms of terrorism, but let's keep this light and investigate the fun we could have.
I remember, in a former life as a student of Philosophy, discussing the merits of Socrates' ring of invisibility. Socrates asked the question, 'If you wore a ring that, with the turn of the collet, could render you invisible, what would you do?'
This question has been asked in thousands of classrooms across the world but now the question could be adapted for the Physics classroom, 'How do you create a cloak of invisibility?' The science bit goes something like this:
Metamaterials will be designed with very specific properties that allow control of the path of electromagnetic radiation very precisely. Electromagnetic waves would flow around an object hidden inside the cloak, he noted, just as water in a river flows virtually undisturbed around a smooth rock. So the cloak works by steering microwaves around it, and the researchers are confident they will be able to develop materials that can steer light rays too, making an object invisible to the eye.
Now this is a real possibility, Socrates' question becomes less hypothetical and far more pertinent (actually, the reality is a few years away but let's go with the flow).
Socrates goes on to tell the story of Gyges the shepherd who discovered the ring of invisibility, he at once managed for himself to become one of the envoys to the king ; upon arrival, having seduced his wife, with her help, he laid a hand on the king, murdered him and took hold of the leadership.
How would you use your cloak of invisibility? For good or for evil, or, in the case of a close but very sad friend of mine, to spy on your ex!
Please use the form below to let me know - I can't wait to hear what you would get up to. I love this question!
I have virtual jet-lag! My research has taken me across the world this week. I started in South Korea, where I was stunned to learn that a 'cloak of invisibility' is now feasible. Scientists working in both the US and the UK have checked out the laws of physics and it turns out that a philosophical question is now becoming a scientific one.
