Researchers develop ‘lying mirror’ that alters reflected images

Researchers have developed a ‘lying mirror’ that intentionally displays images different from reality. This proof-of-concept technology acts as an optical filter, using ambient light without requiring electricity to manipulate reflected light patterns.

According to engineer Aydogan Ozcan from UCLA, the mirror utilizes a structured surface composed of tiny elements that alter the phase of reflected light. By using artificial intelligence to determine the necessary structural patterns, the surface can transform incoming light into a predetermined image. While similar to a hologram in how it manipulates light waves, this device transforms existing image information rather than reconstructing a stored image.