Chinese university successfully develops chameleon-like stealth material

The stealth material developed by a team at the University of Electrical Science and Technology of China uses molecular modification 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 a chameleon, MSN reported on December 4. "In other words, applying this technology to clothing can make an individual invisible," said lead researcher Wang Dongsheng. According to Wang and his colleagues at the University of Electrical Science and Technology of China, the new material has many potential applications in the military, architecture, etc.

SAP solution changes color depending on the surrounding environment. (Photo: Techspot).

In a study published in the journal Science Advances, the team said they decided to make active camouflage a function of the color-changing material, in a process called self-adaptive coloration (SAP) . The key to the transformation is a molecular compound that changes structure when exposed to a specific wavelength of light. To the naked eye, the material appears to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

In nature, both chameleons and octopuses rely on active camouflage, changing their appearance to blend into their surroundings. Man-made systems typically achieve the effect through complex electronics, leading to high costs and limited availability. In contrast, SAP technology offers a simpler and more effective way to achieve active camouflage without the need for external power sources or internal electronics, according to the team.

To demonstrate this, they placed a transparent bottle filled with SAP solution into a translucent acrylic box of various colors such as red, green, and yellow, and then observed the solution change color accordingly. In another experiment, the bottle could blend into its surroundings when placed in a color-matched environment such as red, green, or yellow bushes, within 30 to 80 seconds.

The technology can also be used as a coating. By incorporating polycaprolactone (PCL), the team developed SAP films and coatings that can be applied to a variety of surfaces, allowing for active camouflage of solid objects. According to the study, the ability of SAP materials to rapidly change color opens up exciting new possibilities in areas such as encryption or stealth technology. Since the materials operate reliably in a temperature range of -20 to 70 degrees Celsius, they are well suited for military and architectural applications.