
A hot object can be fully hidden from infrared detection by adding polyethylene glycol to an aerogel film.
CREDIT
American Chemical Society
Hiding an object from heat-sensing cameras could be useful for military and technology applications as well as for research.
Efforts to develop such a method have been underway for decades with varying degrees of success. Now, researchers report in ACS Nano that they have fabricated an inexpensive, easy-to-produce film that makes objects completely invisible to infrared detectors.
Several prior systems have been developed to mask the difference in temperature between an object and its surroundings. But each of these alternatives has weaknesses, such as difficulty in making the devices, the need for a power supply, the use of rigid materials or the addition of thick and heavy thermal blankets that can lead to heat buildup. Xuetong Zhang and colleagues wanted to find a better way.
The researchers fabricated an aerogel film made of DuPont™ Kevlar® fibers. By itself, the aerogel turned out to be a good thermal insulator, but the researchers enhanced its capabilities by coating its fibers with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a protective waterproof layer. PEG stores heat when it melts and releases heat when it solidifies. In simulated sunlight, the composite film covering an object soaked up heat from the sun while only slowly increasing in temperature, just like the surroundings, making the object invisible to a thermal camera. When the light was turned off to simulate night, the coating gradually surrendered its stored heat energy to match the surroundings. Without the coating, the object heated up or cooled off much faster than its environment, making it visible. In a second type of application, a combined structure consisting of aerogel films and the PEG composite film could hide hot targets from a thermal camera. The researchers say their film performs comparably to other stealth films but is simpler and cheaper to make.
Learn more: Now you see heat, now you don’t
The Latest on: Stealth films
[google_news title=”” keyword=”stealth films” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Stealth films
- ‘The Flash’ Is the Best DCEU Superhero Movie Yet, But Can’t Outrun Ezra Milleron June 6, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Andy Muschietti’s film is blessed with Michael Keaton’s Batman, as well as two great performances by one actor — and that’s where the problems start ...
- Can HBO’s ‘The Idol’ Bring Back ’80s Sleaze?on June 6, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Over-the-top locations and characters bathed in red light recall an all but dead genre that was once a staple of late-night cable: the erotic thriller.
- Marvel Studios gives sneak peek, new title to fourth 'Captain America' film: 'Brave New World'on June 6, 2023 at 7:34 am
WBAL NewsRadio 1090/FM 101.5 - In a social media post, Marvel Studios gave a behind-the-scenes peek at its upcoming fourth Captain America film, and revealed a ...
- ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ in Development at Disneyon June 4, 2023 at 3:17 pm
A third “Hocus Pocus” film is officially in development, Walt Disney Pictures president Sean Bailey has confirmed. In a profile with The New York Times, Bailey stated that “Yes, ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ is ...
- MSI Stealth 14 Studio: The One-Stop Laptop For Lightweight But Powerful Gaming And Productivityon May 31, 2023 at 5:21 pm
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio shows that it's possible to be both lightweight and powerful at the same time, as it covers all bases.
- Lord Of The Rings: Gollum Characters Compared To The Movieson May 30, 2023 at 4:00 am
Gollum features a number of new takes on returning characters from the films. Here's how they compare to their counterparts.
- Tesla releases stealth update with new featureson May 28, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Tesla has released a new software update to its fleet, and while the release notes remain unchanged, there are a few exciting features that were stealth updated. The automaker has started to push ...
- Turtle Beach Stealth 300 Gaming Headset Reviewon May 8, 2023 at 4:45 pm
The Stealth 300 sports a rugged ... subtle differences like vocal boost for giving vocals a boost in games and movies. Bass boost didn't muddy the sound field, thankfully, but I found myself ...
- Installation of Stealth Paint Protection Film on Car Makes for Soothing ASMRon May 8, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Fortunately, there's a solution: stealth paint protection film. Check out this TikTok by @hughsdetailing: Click here to watch the video. Stealth paint protection film, also known as matte paint ...
- Stealth Fighteron January 5, 2023 at 2:11 pm
He steals a stealth fighter from a U.S.A.F. base in the Phillippines, and uses the stealth fighter to target certain military installations around the world. A naval reserve officer is recruited ...
via Bing News