According to SCMP, Chinese researchers have developed a type of material capable of changing color at the molecular level based on surrounding light, creating a new form of camouflage that helps individuals blend into their environment, similar to chameleons.
“In other words, applying this technology to clothing could make us ‘invisible,'” said Wang Dongsheng, the project leader at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China.
Chinese invisible artist blending into the environment. Scientists are developing a material that can change color without pre-coloring. (Photo: Baidu).
In a study published last month in the journal Science Advances, Wang’s team stated their goal is to make the ability to actively camouflage an “instinctive” characteristic of materials that can change color, in a process they call self-adaptive photonic color (SAP).
The key to this transformation is a molecular compound that alters its structure when exposed to specific light wavelengths. To the naked eye, this material appears to perfectly blend into its surroundings.
In nature, both chameleons and octopuses rely on active camouflage, changing their appearance to integrate with their environment. Artificial systems often achieve this effect through complex electronic devices, leading to high costs and limited availability.
In contrast, SAP technology offers a simpler and more efficient method to achieve adaptive camouflage without the need for external power sources or complex electronic devices.
To illustrate, researchers placed a transparent container filled with SAP solution into frosted acrylic boxes of different colors – red, green, and yellow, along with a black ink as a control – and observed the solution changing colors accordingly.
In another experiment, it was reported that within 30 to 80 seconds, the container could blend into its surroundings when placed in an environment with matching colors, such as clusters of red, green, or yellow plants.
This technology can also be applied as a coating. By integrating polycaprolactone (PCL), researchers have developed SAP films and coatings that can be sprayed or applied to various surfaces, allowing for adaptive camouflage on solid materials.
According to the study, the rapid color-changing ability of SAP materials opens exciting new prospects in fields such as camouflage, encoding, and stealth technology.
Wang noted in the research paper that SAP materials have significant potential in camouflage systems, smart coatings, and fashion design. Additionally, since these materials operate effectively in temperatures ranging from -20 to 70 degrees Celsius, they are also suitable for military applications and architectural projects.
Wang further mentioned that the next phase of research will build on the properties of SAP materials.
“We have not yet fully reproduced all colors in the visible light spectrum in this work. That will be addressed in future studies,” he said. Currently, purple and blue are not available in SAP materials, but future improvements may resolve this.
“By adding more photonic molecules or adjusting the composition of the material, we hope to achieve better color differentiation and faster change rates,” Wang added.
