Imagine being able to wrap circulation pumps, heaters, and returns and make them invisble in your display tank!

Published October 3 in Nanotechnology, researchers have found a way to use carbon nanotube aerogel sheets to create the illusion of invisibility. In essence this nanotube sheet creates a “mirage effect” underwater similar to the heat waves that you see on a hot, sunny day radiating off a paved road. The catch is that it only works underwater and is demonstrated in the below video.

The researchers conclude that “the remarkable performance of nanotube sheets suggests possible applications as photo-deflectors and for switchable invisibility cloaks, and provides useful insights into their use as thermoacoustic projectors and sonar.”

(via io9)