For as long as humankind has existed, we have wanted to become invisible – mainly so we can inappropriately spy on people. Well, the creepier among us are one step closer to realizing that goal, as some certified scienticians say they’re one step closer to creating an invisibility cloak..

The German team working on the project claim that a new material made up of microscopic polymer rods actually change the speed and direction of light that hits it, making the thing behind the material less visible to the human eye.

Whereas previous attempts at invisibility cloaks could only shift light coming from one direction, this material seems to work in 3-D, changing visibility from all directions. It was created by using a laser to etch into a light-sensitive material.

Before you get too excited though, it’s best to remember that so far, scientists have only been able to create the tiniest amount of material, and that this is only a proof-of-concept.

[via: BBC]