Bursts of light come hundreds of times a second, and as the beam moves, form what appear to be a three-dimensional image

This makes the molecules there emit light that looks like a bright LED

Technology works by focusing intense laser light into a spot in the air

Scientists showed off spirals, fluttering butterflies and outline of an apple

The bat signal that alerted the caped crusader to trouble brewing in Gotham City could soon become a reality.

A free-floating image created by firing lasers into thin air was today unveiled in Japan, offering the possibility if one day of projecting messages into a cloudless sky.

Like the bat signal, its inventors hope that it might someday be used to warn people of danger, such as an approaching tsunami.

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A free-floating image created by firing lasers into thin air was today unveiled in Japan, offering the possibility if one day of projecting messages into a cloudless sky

The company behind the technology, Burton, showed off rotating spirals, fluttering butterflies and the outline of an apple hovering a few metres over a van.

In the same way that sunlight can be concentrated with a magnifying glass, the device focuses intense laser light into a tiny spot in the air.

This makes the molecules there emit white light that looks like a cross between a tiny explosion and a bright LED.

Like the bat signal (pictured), its Japanese inventors hope that it might someday be used to warn people of danger, such as an approaching tsunami

The company behind the technology, Burton Inc, showed off rotating spirals, stick figures (pictured) fluttering butterflies and the outline of an apple hovering a few metres over a van loaded with the system

'The biggest feature of our technology is that we can concentrate light on one spot and make it emit light wherever we like,' said Akira Asano, researcher and director of Burton.

The bursts of light come hundreds of times a second, and as the beam moves, are able to form what appear to the naked eye as rudimentary three-dimensional images.

Researchers said the system, as well as having possible value for advertisers, could be used to send alerts and evacuation advisories during major natural disasters because they can be seen day and night and do not require screens.

CATHEDRAL USES SMARTPHONE WINDOWS TO CREATE A LASER SHOW Worshippers visiting Saint-Eustache cathedral in Paris are being treated to a laser light show created by using their smartphone Dappled colourful sunlight filtering though stained glass windows and flickering candlelight may spring to mind when thinking of churches. But one cathedral in France has got a more hi-tech solution to creating an inspiring space. Worshippers visiting Saint-Eustache cathedral in Paris are being treated to a laser light show created by using their smartphone The lighting changes in response to text messages sent from people’s smartphones, to a number used by the cathedral. Artist Filipe Vilas-Boas created the installation, Shooting Thoughts, in the cathedral, where the laser beams create what looks like a constellation of stars as well as a large cross. The artist says that the ‘lines’ and ‘spots’ of light resemble caught spirits being called to heaven. He thinks that by looking up, worshippers are encouraged to think and to ‘communicate with heaven’. The beams use the cathedral’s Gothic architecture as pathways before reaching the centre of the vaulted ceiling to form a cross. Advertisement

The bursts of light come hundreds of times a second, and as the beam moves, are able to form what appear to the naked eye as rudimentary three-dimensional images

The bursts of light come hundreds of times a second, and as the beam moves, are able to form what appear to the naked eye as rudimentary three-dimensional images

'We could go by car anytime 24 hours a day into a disaster zone and help send information and warnings,' said Burton chief executive Hideki Kimura, adding the images could offer alerts to people who could not hear conventional radio.

The technology, which was unveiled at a science museum in Tokyo, can currently display images five metres above the device.

But the company is aiming to double that height, he said.

The company, based in Kawasaki City southwest of Tokyo, hopes to start negotiations next year with businesses and municipal bodies on putting the system to eventual practical use.