The first consumer products incorporating metamaterials, which can make objects appear invisible, are now being brought to market. Metamaterials are specially engineered materials that “hide” objects by bending light rays away from them. The breakout product using metamaterials could be satellite antennas for internet users. Metamaterials make the antennas weigh less and thus easier, and potentially, cheaper to use in cars and other modes of transport. Kymeta, which is developing the systems, has raised over $200 million from investors, including Bill Gates. Echodyne is developing metamaterials for use in radars. Both companies are spin outs of Intellectual Ventures, which continues to form more companies. Separately, the firm Metamaterials Technologies is working on using them to block lasers.

Source: Financial Times