In a significant leap for stealth technology, a team of researchers from Nanjing University in east China has developed a revolutionary skin-like metamaterial designed for dual-band camouflage.
Stealth technology is crucial for camouflage applications at night or in outer space. Achieving effective stealth in both visible and infrared spectrums poses a significant challenge, as materials must absorb visible light to adapt to dark environments while suppressing infrared thermal radiation through low infrared emissivity.
Employing bottom-up template-assisted self-assembly processes, the research team created a unique cross-scale three-dimensional multistage structure composed of gold nanoparticles assembled into hollow pillars (NPAHP). This innovative metamaterial exhibits remarkable properties, boasting a high absorptivity of 0.947 in the visible band and exceptionally low emissivity levels of 0.074 in the mid-wave infrared and 0.045 in the long-wave infrared bands.
With its micrometer-scale thickness and periodic through-holes, the metamaterial demonstrates superior skin-like attachability and breathability. This allows it to conform closely to a wide range of surfaces, including the human body, enhancing its potential applications in wearable technology and personal stealth.
The team, led by Professor Zhu Jia from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Nanjing University, published their groundbreaking findings in June in the journal Science Advances.
Reference(s):
Chinese researchers find new breakthrough in stealth material
cgtn.com
