US university develops 'cloaking device'

Scientists at a US university have developed a cloaking device straight out of science fiction - and you can make your own.

The University of Rochester has posted a video on YouTube showing its new "simple" device that makes use of four lenses to see completely through an object such as a hand or a face, while still capturing in full detail the background.

It's more of an optical trick than an invisbility cloak, but its developers say the device would have a wide range of real-world applications, The Age reported.

"I imagine this could be used to cloak a trailer on the back of a semi-truck so the driver can see directly behind him," PhD student Joseph Choi said.

"It can be used for surgery, in the military, in interior design, art."

The video says there is no limit to the size of the area that can be covered by the device, as long as the lenses are large enough.

And if you have some knowledge of optics, the university has even released instructions for people to make their own.

The cost of such a project would reportedly be a little over $100.