Invisibility devices have long been the holy grail of physicists, but researchers at the University of Dallas believe they have cracked one of science's eternal questions.

The 'cloaking device', which currently only works underwater, operates by superheating a sheet of carbon nanotubes which creates a 'light-bending' phenomena - similar to a mirage - to hide the object behind.

The effect, commonly referred to as "photothermal deflection", works by bending light beams away from a surface towards your eyes.

"Through electrical stimulation, the transparent sheet of highly aligned CNTs [carbon nanotubes] can be easily heated to high temperatures," the accompanying press release states.

"They then have the ability to transfer that heat to its surrounding areas, causing a steep temperature gradient.

"Just like a mirage, this steep temperature gradient causes the light rays to bend away from the object concealed behind the device, making it appear invisible."