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New nanophotonic coating could aid thermal management and counter-surveillance efforts

Date:
August 25, 2022
Source:
University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering
Summary:
A research team has developed a new reflective coating that can be used in counter-surveillance military applications to provide camouflage under the scrutiny of thermal imaging cameras. Their tests of the thermal camouflage effect were so promising that it could successfully be used for both daytime and nighttime cloaking.
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FULL STORY

Controlling thermal radiation is crucial in various industries and applications. In particular, infrared emissions from the body are important since body temperature can be regulated without the use of external energy sources (i.e. heater and air conditioner).

Previous studies have shown that when materials which reflect radiation from the body are worn, the wearer's body temperature increases. However, the majority of these materials are metal with a distinctive color, making it challenging to use textiles in other colors. Additionally, they reflect most solar light, which makes the absorption of sunlight for outside warming difficult.

To address these problems, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Professor Lili Cai and her team recently devised a visibly transparent infrared reflective coating.

Designed with a nano-mesh structure, their new coating sufficiently transmitted visible light -- including sunlight -- and reflected body thermal radiation like conventional metal-based textiles. They were also able to utilize various colors of textile to achieve a warming effect without energy consumption.

In addition, by combining their nano-pore structure with a photothermal material, the researchers were able to confine both sunlight and thermal energy from the body inside the textile. Even in freezing weather, their coating achieved a 15°C (59°F) higher heating effect than commercial clothing -- which could allow more outdoor activity during the winter months without the need for bulky clothing.

Applications for this technology go beyond personal heat management, however. The reflective properties of the team's newly developed coating can be used in counter-surveillance military applications -- specifically, to provide camouflage under the scrutiny of thermal imaging cameras. Their tests of the thermal camouflage effect, at temperatures ranging from 34° to 250°C (93° to 482°F) were so promising that it could successfully be used for both daytime and nighttime cloaking.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering. Original written by Julia Park. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Ho Kun Woo, Kai Zhou, Su‐Kyung Kim, Adrian Manjarrez, Muhammad Jahidul Hoque, Tae‐Yeon Seong, Lili Cai. Visibly Transparent and Infrared Reflective Coatings for Personal Thermal Management and Thermal Camouflage. Advanced Functional Materials, 2022; 2201432 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202201432

Cite This Page:

University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering. "New nanophotonic coating could aid thermal management and counter-surveillance efforts." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 August 2022. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220825164105.htm>.
University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering. (2022, August 25). New nanophotonic coating could aid thermal management and counter-surveillance efforts. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 11, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220825164105.htm
University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering. "New nanophotonic coating could aid thermal management and counter-surveillance efforts." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220825164105.htm (accessed October 11, 2024).

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