Invisible Technology Research Articles

Reconfigurable Three-Dimensional Thermal Dome

Thermal metamaterial represents a groundbreaking approach to control heat conduction, and, as a crucial component, thermal invisibility is of utmost importance for heat management. Despite the flourishing development of thermal invisibility schemes, they still face two limitations in practical applications. First, objects are typically completely enclosed in traditional cloaks, making them difficult to use and unsuitable for objects with heat sources. Second, although some theoretical proposals have been put forth to change the thermal conductivity of materials to achieve dynamic invisibility, their designs are complex and rigid, making them unsuitable for large-scale use in real three-dimensional (3D) spaces. Here, we propose a concept of a thermal dome to achieve 3D invisibility. Our scheme includes an open functional area, greatly enhancing its usability and applicability. It features a reconfigurable structure, constructed with simple isotropic natural materials, making it suitable for dynamic requirements. The performance of our reconfigurable thermal dome has been confirmed through simulations and experiments, consistent with the theory. The introduction of this concept can greatly advance the development of thermal invisibility technology from theory to engineering and provide inspiration for other physical domains, such as direct current electric fields and magnetic fields.

Determining the parameters of a dielectric ellipsoid for minimising front echo in Gaussian pulse scattering analysis

AbstractA novel numerical method is introduced for minimising the presence of scattering echoes in the frontal area of a dielectric ellipsoid through the application of the method of auxiliary sources (MAS) method. This approach utilises a Gaussian radio pulse that spans the frequency spectrum from 0 to 6 GHz. The approach involves determining the properties of an ellipsoid, such as its dimensions and a dielectric permittivity, using a specially developed MATLAB software package to make this ellipsoid invisible. This provides a valuable military and defence technology tool, particularly for stealth and invisibility technology applications. It is beneficial for avoiding detection by radar systems utilised for enemy surveillance and identifying concealed objects. This aims to eliminate the need for metamaterials for invisibility cloaking. The suggested methodology has been confirmed through a validation process, which involved a comparison of the outcomes derived from numerical experiments conducted during pulse echo observations using the FDTD method and an analytical solution. MAS offers a notable advantage over other methods and commercial software by significantly reducing computational time for simulating and analysing 3D dielectric objects. This allows for quicker consideration of various parameter scenarios and optimisation for desired outcomes.

Temperature-dependent thermal buckling and free vibration behavior of smart sandwich nanoplates with auxetic core and magneto-electro-elastic face layers

This article addresses the thermomechanical thermal buckling and free vibration response of a novel smart sandwich nanoplate based on a sinusoidal higher-order shear deformation theory (SHSDT) with a stretching effect. In the proposed sandwich nanoplate, an auxetic core layer with a negative Poisson’s ratio made of Ti-6Al-4V is sandwiched between Ti-6Al-4V rim layers and magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) face layers. The MEE face layers are homogenous volumetric mixtures of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) and barium titanate (BaTiO3). The mechanical and thermal material properties of the auxetic core and MEE face layers are temperature-dependent. Using Hamilton’s principle, governing equations are constructed. To characterize the size-dependent behavior of the nanoplate, governing equations are adapted with the nonlocal strain gradient theory (NSGT). By applying the principles of Navier’s technique, closed-form solutions are obtained. Parametric simulations are carried out to examine the effects of auxetic core parameters, temperature-dependent material properties, nonlocal parameters, electric, magnetic, and thermal loads on the free vibration and thermal buckling behavior of the nanoplate. According to the simulation results, it is determined that the auxetic core parameters, temperature-dependent material properties, and nonlocal factors significantly affect the thermomechanical behavior of the nanoplate. The outcomes of this investigation are expected to contribute to the advancement of smart nano-electromechanical systems, transducers, and nanosensors characterized by lightweight, exceptional structural integrity and temperature sensitivity. Also, the auxetic core with a negative Poisson’s ratio provides a metamaterial feature, and thanks to this feature, the proposed model has the potential to be used as an invisibility technology in sonar and radar-hiding applications.

It starts at home: non-economic factors influencing consumer acceptance of battery storage in Australia

Homeowners play a critical role in the uptake of low-carbon technologies, yet little is known about the factors that underlie market acceptance of residential battery storage. This research integrates social–psychological, demographic and behavioural factors into a holistic model that predicts market acceptance. Previous research has indicated that social factors play a crucial role in the adoption of rooftop solar. Still, the influence of subjective norms on battery storage, a relatively invisible technology, has yet to be fully understood. An online survey from homeowners in Australia, a mature renewable energy market, is used to provide insights into market acceptance that are relevant to international energy markets. A two-step econometric model, using factor analysis and ordered logistic regression, was used for data analysis. The results show that subjective norms, moral emotions and an environmental self-identity are positively associated with market acceptance. Demographic factors, such as younger age and higher levels of education, predict market acceptance. Motives such as technical interest, autarky and load-shifting behaviours are also relevant. Several recommendations for policymakers and practitioners are offered to improve the acceptance of battery storage, including interventions that exploit social parameters and appeal to consumer psychology.

P‐17.3: Visibility Research Based on Ambient Light Contrast

In the development process of displays, the viewer's experience is particularly important. However, in actual use, unlike the dark‐room test, there will be a certain amount of ambient light, which will affect the visibility of the display screen. As ambient illumination increases, the viewing effect of the display screen will also deteriorate. For example, it is difficult to see the screen clearly outdoors with bright sunlight, which is quite different from the viewing effect in dark room. In this article, we will study the visibility of public mode display and privacy mode display. For public mode display, both the central view angle and large view angle can see the screen clearly regardless of the ambient light brightness. For privacy mode display, no matter what the ambient light conditions are, it is invisible for the large view angle, while the center view angle can see clearly. And respectively propose two ways to improve the ambient contrast. In public mode, LCD with advanced reflective invisible technology with embedded system (ARIES) can achieve excellent visibility in various ambient light condition from indoors to outdoors without boosting the backlight brightness and sacrificing other performance for better visibility. In privacy mode, the view angle control cell (VAC) and privacy film are used to reduce the ambient light contrast of the privacy display, which fully satisfies the requirements of being invisible in the outdoor environment at a large view angle conditions, and can meet the privacy performance in some low ambient light. Author Keywords

Cross-Polarization Carpet Cloaking Based on Polarization Conversion Metasurfaces

The principle of phase compensation on the metasurfaces is applied to realize the cloaking function, which provides a new idea for the further development of invisibility technology. However, the uppermost layer of the metasurface carpet cloak previously studied is mostly a metal structure with ohmic loss and low coupling efficiency. In practical applications, these ordinary invisibility cloaks are easy to be corroded, and does not endure high temperature, and only has the function of invisibility under the action of the same polarization. Here, we propose to use the unit structure of high-refractive-index dielectric silicon resonators to construct the invisibility cloak, which can better reduce loss, improve reflection efficiency, and can be better applied to practical applications. A unique cross polarization stealth device with the broadband cloaking effect is designed to effectively resist cross polarization detectors. Objects of arbitrary shape can be hidden under the triangular carpet stealth device designed to achieve the purpose that the detector cannot detect, so as to achieve stealth function. The working wavelength of the cloak proposed is at 1550nm, achieving the effect of cross polarization invisibility in the communication band.

3: Invited Paper: Advanced Reflection Invisible Technology with Embedded System for Automotive

When we drive a car in the high luminance environment, to comply with drivers and passengers’ requests for better visibility, the display should be low reflection. In this report, the Advanced Reflection Invisible technology with Embedded System (ARIES) will be introduced for automotive wide‐view LCD with CTP to get super low reflection and improve ambient contrast ratio. It makes excellent sunlight readability without increasing the backlight luminance

Efficient carpet invisibility cloaking with dielectric resonant metasurfaces in terahertz region

The application of metasurface in invisibility technology is mainly based on its phase control function, which provides a new choice for the design of ultra-thin carpet cloaking devices with arbitrary shape. At present, most of the carpet cloaking devices mainly focus on metal structure metasurfaces. The Ohmic loss of metallic materials seriously affects the efficiency of cloaking devices. To reduce Ohmic loss and improve reflection efficiency, a dielectric resonance cylindrical harmonic oscillator is proposed to construct the metasurface layer. Based on the analysis of the principle of carpet reflection cloaking, a dielectric metasurface layer is optimized to cover a triangular scatterer, making it invisible. The near field and far field scattering characteristics of dielectric metasurface carpet cloaking device are numerically simulated to confirm its cloaking effect.

Automated test systems test program software — making the invisible visible

In Test Systems Test Program Software-The Invisible Technology we indicated that the amount of work associated to Test Program Set (TPS) development, maintenance, and migration in the Department of Defense (DOD) has grown significantly [1]. In the paper, we proposed a model for a TPS developer's certification plan, training program, and Quality Assurance management plan. This paper is a continuation of that original work. It will take a deeper look into one area: TPS Quality Assurance. Development of successful test program sets for Automated Test Systems (ATS) is enhanced by timely application of proven management procedures such as quality control plans, design reviews, change control procedures. It is also enhanced by controls over cost, schedule, development, deployment, and end item configuration. This paper is devoted to a general discussion of management and technical procedures, plans, tests, and reports that are applicable to assuring quality throughout development and delivery of the TPS.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Enhanced security in cloud applications using emerging blockchain security algorithm

Cloud computing is one of the biggest distributed platforms accomplishing with parallel processing. Cloud computing is a household buzzword. A highest portion of data transmission in entire world is using cloud. Since cloud is distributed and involved parallel processing, it is not assured that it can provide security. One of the invisible technologies changing the world is block chain (BC). Various core functions of Governments, societies, and economics using internet are highly secured due to blockchain. Blockchain is a historical record about every digital activity happen in the internet. Blockchain is a continuous collection of blocks interlinked by chains which encrypt blocks, and it cannot be modified by anyone in the world. Most of the emerging applications are suffering from intruders, anomalies, thieves and insurance companies fetching the personal information and disturbing the customer daily activities. In order to provide enhance and tighten the security level, this paper focused on designing and implementing a blockchain security for cloud applications. The entire process of the paper is simulated using JAVA and Cloud Simulator for verifying the performance. It is also evaluated by comparing the performance with the existing approaches.

Reflection phase dispersion editing generates wideband invisible acoustic Huygens's metasurface.

Acoustic metasurfaces show non-traditional abilities in wave manipulation and provide alternate mechanisms for information communication and invisibility technology. However, most of the mechanisms remain narrow band (relative bandwidth ∼5%), and a wideband trait is essential for engineering applications. For example, controllable effective material properties-reflection or transmission phase-has barely been realized in wideband because the intrinsic dispersion relation is not always editable. In this paper, wideband reflection phase editing is realized, and wideband invisibility of a phase preserved Huygens's metasurface on a flat background is achieved with anomalous reflection. This metasurface is built with proposed unsymmetrical twin Helmholtz resonators which reach a predefined dispersion relation target value. The total instantaneous acoustic fields show nearly identical carpeting effects in a consecutive band with relative bandwidth 52.1% (from 5400 to 9200 Hz) in simulation and experiment.

Big brother or harbinger of best practice: Can lecture capture actually improve teaching?

Lecture capture is used increasingly in the UK, and has become a normal feature of higher education. Most studies on the impact of lecture capture have focused on benefits to student learning, the flipped classroom or student non‐attendance at lectures following its introduction. It is less clear how the use of lecture capture has impacted on lecturers’ own academic practice. In this study, we use a mixed‐methods approach to explore the impact of this intrusive yet invisible technology on the quality of teaching. We have mapped our findings to the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF). In doing so, our data paints a mixed picture of lecture capture's Janus‐faced reality. On the one hand, it enhances lecturer self‐awareness, planning and conscious ‘performance’; on the other hand, it crushes spontaneity, impairs interaction and breeds wariness through constant surveillance. While the Teaching Excellence Framework rewards institutions for providing state‐of‐the‐art technology and lecture recording systems, our findings pose awkward questions as to whether lecture capture is making teaching more bland and instrumental, albeit neatly aligned to dimensions of the UKPSF. We provide contradictory evidence about lecture capture technology, embraced by students, yet tentatively adopted by most academics. The implications of our study are not straightforward, except to proceed with caution, valuing the benefits but ensuring that learning is not dehumanised through blind acceptance at the moment we press the record button.

Invisible transportation infrastructure technology to mitigate energy and environment

BackgroundTraditional transportation infrastructure built by heat trapping products and the transportation vehiles run by fossil fuel, both causing deadly climate change. Thus, a new technology of invisible Flying Transportation system has been proposed to mitigate energy and environmental crisis caused by traditional infrastructure system.MethodsUnderground Maglev system has been modeled to be constructed for all transportation systems to run the vehicle smoothly just over two feet over the earth surface by propulsive and impulsive force at flying stage. A wind energy modeling has also been added to meet the vehicle’s energy demand when it runs on a non-maglev area. Naturally, all maglev infrastructures network to be covered by evergreen herb except pedestrian walkways to absorb CO2, ambient heat, and moisture (vapor) from the surrounding environment to make it cool.ResultsThe research revealed that the vehicle will not require any energy since it will run by superconducting electromagnetic force while it runs on a maglev infrastructure area and directed by wind energy while it runs on non-maglev area.ConclusionsThe proposed maglev transportation infrastructure technology will indeed be an innovative discovery in modern engineering science which will reduce fossil fuel energy consumption and climate change dramatically.

Long distance invisibility system to hide dynamic objects with high selectivity

With the development of invisibility technology, invisibility devices have now become more practical, with properties such as working at visible wavelengths, using natural materials, and hiding macroscopic objects. Recently, the cloaking of dynamic objects was experimentally realized using ray-optics. Here, based on a phase retrieval algorithm and phase conjugation technology, we design and fabricate a system to hide dynamic objects that changes at speeds faster than 8 seconds per frame. Different from shell cloaks and carpet-like cloaks, which conceal the entire region covered by the cloak, our system works when the object is at a distance and hides only the selected part of an object when the entire object is within the working area of the system. We experimentally demonstrate the concealment of a millimeter-scale object at different wavelengths. We believe that our work may provide a new approach to hiding objects in real life and may also be applicable in biological imaging and atmospheric imaging.

Technology as Magic.

The article discusses the concept of magic in terms of products made by use of advanced technology. It mentions development of several products using concepts of invisible and wireless technology that we control with our hands and can be operate over long distances. It also discusses focus of the manufacturers in developing product designs based on customer preference and convenience.

The invisible technology [Spectral Lines

Five years ago Marc Andreessen, the Web pioneer and celebrated tech investor, predicted software would eat the world. He turned out to be right. Too right. Software is eating the world, and also eating itself. The cannibalization of software defies easy explanation. Software is the motor of the world�s digital economy. Code is the ground of our computationally rich existence. Software applications and platforms are the source of vast wealth for Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and many other tech titans. Yet even as software grows in importance, code becomes less visible, less tangible, less understood, and�perhaps most paradoxically–less valuable in monetary terms.

Optic-null space medium for cover-up cloaking without any negative refraction index materials.

With the help of optic-null medium, we propose a new way to achieve invisibility by covering up the scattering without using any negative refraction index materials. Compared with previous methods to achieve invisibility, the function of our cloak is to cover up the scattering of the objects to be concealed by a background object of strong scattering. The concealed object can receive information from the outside world without being detected. Numerical simulations verify the performance of our cloak. The proposed method will be a great addition to existing invisibility technology.

Atmospheres of digital technology: wireless spectres and ghosts outside the machine

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the atmospheres of invisible technologies in the built environment. Starting with the, often cited, notion of technologies of disappearance, this paper suggest that, in the absence of physically tangible infrastructure, we understand and frame technologies through myths and historic forms of interpretation. Using the specific example of Wi-Fi networks the paper draws parallels between the operation and interpretation of modern wireless infrastructure and the spiritualism of the nineteenth century. Furthermore, it shows how through creative exploration, using a visualisation device and a photographic method developed by the authors, perceptions of these invisible infrastructures and the spaces they occupy can be played with. The work acts as an extension and critique of the way wireless infrastructure is currently described and perceived and through playful exploration may lead to new types of technology and spatial design.

Creatively prototyping the future high street

This paper gives a voice to a range of community and individual stakeholders who would not generally be heard in the conventional town planning process. We present a methodological technique, described as creative prototyping, that has at its heart, the capability to enable full stakeholder inclusivity into the future imagining of the smart city. Actively involving these individuals and community representatives in the research process enables deeper understanding of how technology and people can interact productively to create smart cities that are socially inclusive while still being commercially relevant. The research data for this paper are drawn from the findings of a workshop conducted by the authors that utilised Science Fiction Prototyping and Lego Serious Play. This research activity was driven by questions focusing upon the current complex interplay and tensions of technology and the UK’s physical high street. We first explore these issues theoretically in previous literature and then drawn upon this review to analyse the outcomes of the workshop. Three themes emerge from this analysis that have operational and strategic relevance to the development of future high streets; the importance of ever present but invisible technology, the forefronting of people in the smart city and the need for wide-ranging stakeholder input and participation into planning. The findings also illustrate that not all future imaginings of the retail high street are immediately practical or realistically applicable. However, in examining the many issues facing the current high street and in negotiating the multiplicity of voices with their competing demands and expectations, we offer the conclusion that the future smart city must become a place of truly shared sociality – rather than just mere proximity, customised convenience or a concentration point for multiple forms of entertainment.

L'invisibile tecnologia della parola: design e sviluppo di un font per dislessici

The relationship between written text and the spatial dimension is so evident and obvious as to become practically transparent, invisible. Assuming Ong’s definition of writing as a technology of the word, written text is certainly classifiable among the “invisible technologies”. The work presented here is based on the consideration that not all technologies are transparent in the same way for everyone. For example, the process of reading and writing continues to present degrees of opacity that can have a dramatic impact in the case of specific learning disabilities. This paper discusses the choices made in the design of a font called D-FONT, which is geared towards making reading easier for dyslexic subjects. It also reports the results of a pilot study carried out to verify the font’s effectiveness for this purpose. At its present stage of development, D-FONT consists of 102 glyphs, including upper and lowercase letters, numbers, accents, symbols and punctuation.