Chinese researchers develop a new dual-band stealth material

The team of researchers is part of Nanjing University, affiliated with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. It is believed to have close collaborations and scientific research projects with the People's Liberation Army

A team of researchers from Nanjing University has developed a type of skin-like metamaterial for dual-band camouflage, according to the university in east China.

Stealth technology is key for camouflage at night or in outer space. To achieve compatible stealth in both visible and infrared bands, the material needs to have a high visible light absorption rate to adapt to the dark environment, and a low infrared emissivity to suppress infrared thermal radiation. 

Credit, Fang S, Xu N, Zhou L, Wei T, Yang Y, Liu Y, Zhu J. Self-assembled skin-like metamaterials for dual-band camouflage. Sci Adv. 2024 Jun 21;10(25):eadl1896. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adl1896. Epub 2024 Jun 19. PMID: 38896621; PMCID: PMC11186495.

Using the bottom-up template-assisted self-assembly processes, the team developed a unique cross-scale three-dimensional multistage structure based on Au nanoparticles assembled hollow pillars (NPAHP).

The metamaterial is ideal for visible and infrared dual-band camouflage at night or in outer space, with an absorptivity as high as 0.947 in the visible band and an emissivity as low as 0.074/0.045 in the mid-wave/long-wave infrared band.

With a micrometer thickness and periodic through-holes, the metamaterial demonstrates superior skin-like attachability and permeability, allowing close attachment to a wide range of surfaces including the human body.

The team is led by Professor Zhu Jia of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the university, and the findings were published online in the journal Science Advances in June.

Nanjing University of Science and Technology is affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. It is believed to have close partnerships and scientific research projects with the People's Liberation Army.

Nanjing University is part of the so-called Seven Sons of National Defense

Seven Sons of National Defense (国防七子) are a group of public universities affiliated with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. They are believed to have formed collaborations and scientific research projects with the People's Liberation Army.

Three-quarters of the graduates hired by China's state-owned defense enterprises come from the Seven Sons.

The Seven Sons devote at least half of their research budgets to military products.