Dr. Smith warned against getting ahead of the day’s announcement and envisioning the disappearing Romulan warbirds of “Star Trek” on the horizon.

“It could easily take years to figure out what the stuff is really good for from a practical, pragmatic standpoint. But, boy, it sure is really cool from a short-term standpoint.”

I should have posted this next to the editorial on space policy, as Trekkies may recall The Treaty of Algeron:

The treaty stated that the Federation would refrain from researching or implementing cloaking technology. However, an amendment added later allowed the Federation to install a Romulan cloaking device on one ship, the Defiant, for use only in the Gamma Quadrant and under the supervision of a Romulan officer, and under the condition that the Federation would share its intelligence on the Dominion.

See also the articles, [2] at Memory Alpha. (In reviewing these links, I am reminded of the incredible geekiness (and perhaps wonkiness) of Star Trek.)

Scientists Take Step Toward Invisibility