The actual wording is:-
"Matrix turns opaque materials transparent"
As stated on our front page today, 10March 2010, and put there by our very own Scienceagogo Editor, Kate Melville.
First thoughts are, what an amazing idea. An idea with almost unlimited practical use? But is it?
Upon reflection, I expect this will end up as a laboratory curiosity, with no practical use?
Since the scientific method as to how this might be achieved, must depend upon both Optics and Computing power.
I am only guessing as to how one might detect a hidden item, behind an opaque film.
For film it must be, and no thicker than a film or sheet of paper. Why? Because the optical system would have to both mark the (narrow) beam of light input, and mark the same beams exits from the other side!
Since there would be a huge loss in reflection and transmission, with the now weaker beam exiting in more than one place. A lot of computing power would be required to note the beams input and outputs.
To build up the outputs (from as many beams as would be) required to view the hidden object, on a screen, could take some time to build up, and take a lot of computing power.
It would be a Lab: curiosity because on would have to interpose screen between the 'hidden' object and the opaque sheet of paper, that would note the light beam position, relative to its input?
Prehaps it might be a single scanning beam, where the output was built up from the reflections of the hidden object?
But what ever method was used.... I think it would require the film/paper etc to be absolutely still and stable.
To ensure a quick and repeatable picture.
To detect the shape of an object using light, does seem much more difficult than bouncing high frequency sound, or radar waves, back from the object.
Except of course when using light beams, plus 'puter power, the object should be seen very clearly.
I suppose research scientists will continue to get paid, for producing impractical ideas, hoping for the motherload.
