The Institute of Photonics and Optical Science, the newest institute at the University of Sydney in Australia and the only one of its kind in the continent, launches this month. Headed by Ben Eggleton, the centre will conduct research into areas such as metamaterials, cloaking (obscuring an object from view by redirecting light), astrophotonics and medical photonics. It currently employs about 20 postdocs and another 30 professionals including senior academics and academic and research staff. Initially headquartered in the university's school of physics, the institute will have its own building by 2012. The centre's initial budget is Aus$4 million (US$3 million).