Scientists say they are a step closer to developing materials that will render people and other objects invisible.

Researchers can redirect light around 3D objects using metamaterials--artificially engineered structures created at a nano scale that contain optical properties not found in nature.

People see objects as a result of the light reflecting or scattering off them. This new mixture of materials has "negative refractive" properties that keep light from being absorbed or reflected by the object, allowing only the light from behind the object to be seen. Essentially, the material bends visible light in a way that eliminates the creation of reflections or shadows in much the way water flows around a stone.

The research could have broad applications, including for the military.

But the materials work in limited wavelengths, so they won't be used to hide buildings from satellites.

We are not actually cloaking anything. I don't think we have to worry about invisible people walking around any time soon. We are just at the beginning of doing anything like that.