“Basically, we’re seeking to make shape-shifting clothing – the stuff of science fiction – a reality.”
What can the U.S. military learn from a common squid? A lot about how to hide from enemies, according to researchers at UC Irvine’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering.
As detailed in a study published online in Advanced Materials, they have created a biomimetic infrared camouflage coating inspired by Loliginidae, also known as pencil squids or your everyday calamari.
Led by Alon Gorodetsky, an assistant professor of chemical engineering & materials science, the team produced reflectin – a structural protein essential in the squid’s ability to change color and reflect light – in common bacteria and used it to make thin, optically active films that mimic the skin of a squid.
With the appropriate chemical stimuli, the films’ coloration and reflectance can shift back and forth, giving them a dynamic configurability that allows the films to disappear and reappear when visualized with an infrared camera.
Infrared detection equipment is employed extensively by military forces for night vision, navigation,surveillance and targeting. The novelty of this coating lies in its functionality within the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, roughly 700 to 1,200 nanometers, which matches the standard imaging range of most infrared visualization equipment. This region is not usually accessible to biologically derived reflective materials.
“Our approach is simple and compatible with a wide array of surfaces, potentially allowing many simple objects to acquire camouflage capabilities,” said Gorodetsky, whose work has possible applications in infrared stealth camouflage, energy-efficient reflective coatings and biologically inspired optics.
This is just the first step in developing a material that will self-reconfigure in response to an external signal, he added. The Samueli School researchers are currently formulating alternative, nonchemical strategies for triggering coloration changes in the reflectin coating.
“Our long-term goal is to create fabrics that can dynamically alter their texture and color to adapt to their environments,” Gorodetsky said. “Basically, we’re seeking to make shape-shifting clothing – the stuff of science fiction – a reality.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Camouflage coating
- Behind the scenes with Darius Robinson at NFL draft: 'The exclamation point'on April 28, 2024 at 3:06 am
Darius Robinson, the former Canton High star, is motivated by all the slights he's experienced in his football career - including on NFL draft night ...
- The Color Drenching Paint Trend Isn't Going Anywhereon April 25, 2024 at 11:51 am
C olor drenching is proving to be a paint trend that isn’t going away anytime soon. It involves painting every surface of a room—walls, trim, molding, baseboards, built-ins, and ceiling—in a single ...
- Our Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Was Shot At by Smooth-Brain Moronson April 24, 2024 at 9:57 am
An attempt at a bro-tastic weekend went awry when we took our Toyota off-roader into the desert looking for fun.
- Edmunds: What you need to know about wrapping your caron April 24, 2024 at 3:30 am
If you’ve ever spotted cars with chameleon, chrome-like finishes, patterns such as stripes and camouflage, or just an off-beat pink or lime green, you’ve likely seen a vinyl wrap ...
- 15 Celebrity-Inspired Denim Jackets for Spring You Won't Want to Take Offon April 24, 2024 at 2:15 am
From classic to oversized to cropped, we found the best celebrity-inspired denim jackets to wear this spring and beyond from Levi’s, Old Navy, Amazon, and more. Keep reading to see which denim jackets ...
- Nature's camouflage allows animals to blend inon April 23, 2024 at 3:47 pm
It’s nature’s way of survival: nature’s camouflage.
- Rihanna Transforms Into a Full Body Tree in Over-the-Top Fenty x Puma Campaignon April 23, 2024 at 7:47 am
Rihanna was unrecognizable in a full body tree costume which she wore to promote the new ‘earth tone’ shoes she launched with Puma last week ...
- Spring turkey season begins Saturdayon April 19, 2024 at 4:56 pm
UPPER MICHIGAN (WLUC) - April 20 marks the official start of the Spring Turkey Season. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist Brian Roell said hunters might be seeing an increase ...
- Lamborghini Unveils Limited Edition Huracán Sterrato Series at Milan Design Weekon April 18, 2024 at 11:45 pm
A lineup limited to 12 examples, with designs inspired by diverse natural terrains like snow, sand, forest tracks and arid deserts.
- Special Edition Lamborghini Sterrato All-Terrain Literally Wears the Colors of the Worldon April 18, 2024 at 11:36 pm
Italian carmaker Lamborghini presented in Milan a limited edition run of the Huracan Sterrato wearing liveries meant to honor Earth's environments ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Camouflage coating
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Camouflage coating” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Shape-shifting clothing
- M&S’ shoppers swoon over ‘perfect denim dress’ that ‘pulls you in all the right places’on April 27, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Fans of the high street giant are praising the £45 dress for its style that'll ‘work all year round' due to the flattering shape ...
- From Runway to Retail: How Technology is Revolutionizing Fashionon April 24, 2024 at 9:34 am
Step into the world where innovation meets style, where high fashion seamlessly integrates with cutting-edge technology. Join us as we explore how the fusion of runway and retail is transforming the ...
- On-demand fashion gives much-needed clues on how to green notoriously wasteful industryon April 24, 2024 at 3:58 am
Ballooning inventories are to blame for much of the fashion’s sector carbon footprint. Could on-demand production solve such problems?
- Unlocking Fashion Secrets and Unleashing an Online Learning Revolution: Meet GlowHigh, the Change-Makers Future-Proofing Fashion Educationon April 23, 2024 at 10:43 am
Shaping the future of fashion education with transformative online masterclasses.United States - April 23, 2024 — Fashion education, ...
- Marks and Spencer shoppers hail 'slimming' £45 denim dress that pulls you in the 'IT' dress for summeron April 21, 2024 at 9:27 am
Lets be honest, denim is never not in fashion, especially in the spring and summer months, but it is truly having a moment this year. Denim jeans, jumpsuits, jackets and dresses have been seen on the ...
- M&S shoppers are racing to buy 'perfect' denim dress that 'skims the body'on April 20, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Denim is well and truly having a moment in 2024, with jeans, jumpsuits, jackets and dresses flying off the high-street shelves - and if you're looking to jump on the trend, then this 'perfect' Marks & ...
- M&S fans praise 'flattering' denim dress that 'pulls you in all the right places'on April 20, 2024 at 7:22 am
Featuring a shift shape and flattering A-line style skirt, the £45 Denim Round Neck Midi Shift Dress find has been dubbed it "perfect" for "less is more" dressing. There's a fraying effect running ...
- M&S shoppers are racing to buy 'best ever' denim dress that 'skims the body'on April 18, 2024 at 6:32 am
Denim is well and truly having a moment in 2024, with jeans, jumpsuits, jackets and dresses flying off the high-street shelves. One particular Marks & Spencer buy that will help you jump on the trend ...
- This £29.50 M&S linen dress is a must-have for your summer holidayon April 18, 2024 at 3:59 am
Firstly, you can't go wrong with a simple shift dress. If you like a looser fit, wear it as is, but if you prefer to highlight an hourglass shape, simply add a belt around your waist. Throw it over ...
- Cancer Cells’ Shapeshifting Ability Reveals New Drug Targetson April 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The researchers concluded that changes in cancer cell shape occur in both an environmentally dependent and independent fashion. The researchers believe these shape-controlling genes could be targeted ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Shape-shifting clothing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”shape shifting clothing” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]