The invisibility material developed by a research team at the China University of Science and Technology utilizes molecular changes to blend seamlessly into its environment.
Chinese researchers have announced the creation of a material that alters its color at the molecular level based on surrounding light, resulting in a new form of camouflage that allows individuals to blend into their environment like chameleons, as reported by MSN on December 4. “In other words, applying this technology to clothing could render an individual invisible,” said Wang Dongsheng, the head of the research team. According to Wang and his colleagues at the China University of Science and Technology, the new material has numerous potential applications in military and architectural fields, among others.
SAP solution changes color according to the surrounding environment. (Photo: Techspot).
In research published in the journal Science Advances, the team explained that they aimed to transform active camouflage into a function of color-changing materials through a process called self-adaptive color change (SAP). The key to this transformation process is a molecular compound that changes its structure upon exposure to specific light wavelengths. To the naked eye, the material appears to blend perfectly with its surroundings.
In nature, both chameleons and octopuses rely on active camouflage, altering their appearance to merge into their environment. Traditional artificial systems typically achieve these effects through complex electronic devices, leading to high costs and limited availability. In contrast, SAP technology offers a simpler and more efficient way to achieve active camouflage without the need for external power sources or internal electronic devices, according to the research team.
To demonstrate this, they placed a transparent container filled with SAP solution inside an acrylic box with various colors such as red, green, and yellow, then observed the solution changing color accordingly. In another experiment, the container could blend into its surroundings when placed in an environment with matching colors, such as red, green, or yellow bushes, within 30 to 80 seconds.
This 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 various surfaces, allowing for active camouflage with solid objects. The rapid color-changing ability of SAP materials opens up exciting new potentials in areas such as encoding or invisibility technology. Due to the material’s reliable performance in temperature ranges from -20 to 70 degrees Celsius, they are particularly suitable for military and architectural applications.
