The stealth material developed by a research team at the University of Electrical Science and Technology of China uses molecular changes to blend perfectly into the environment.
Chinese researchers say they have developed a material that changes color at the molecular level based on ambient light, creating a new form of camouflage that could help people blend into their environment like geckos. flower, MSN reported on December 4. “In other words, applying this technology to clothing can make an individual invisible,” said research team leader Wang Dongsheng. According to Wang and colleagues at the University of Electrical Science and Technology of China, the new material has many potential applications in military, architecture,…
In the study published in the journal Science Advances, the team said they decided to make active camouflage a function of color-changing materials, in a process called self-adaptive color change (SAP). The key to the transformation process is that a molecular compound changes structure when exposed to a specific wavelength of light. To the naked eye, the material appears to blend perfectly with the environment.
In the wild, both chameleons and octopuses rely on active camouflage, changing their appearance to blend in with their surroundings. Artificial systems often achieve their effects through complex electronics, leading to high costs and limited availability. In contrast, SAP technology provides a simpler and more effective way to achieve active camouflage without the need for an external power source or internal electronics, according to the team.
To demonstrate this, they placed a transparent flask filled with SAP solution into a translucent acrylic box of various colors such as red, green and yellow, then observed the solution change color accordingly. In another experiment, the container was able to blend into its surroundings when placed in a color-matched environment such as a red, green or yellow bush, for 30 – 80 seconds.
The technology can also be applied as a coating. By integrating polycaprolactone (PCL), the research team developed SAP films and coatings that can be used on a variety of surfaces, allowing active camouflage against solid objects. According to the study, the ability of SAP materials to change color quickly opens up many exciting new possibilities in fields such as encryption or stealth technology. Because the materials perform reliably over a temperature range of -20 to 70 degrees Celsius, they are well suited for military and architectural applications.