Breakthrough camouflage for soldiers copies plants, dodges enemy lasers

Chinese scientists from the Micro-Nano Optoelectronics and Intelligent Sensing Research Group at the National University of Defense Technology have developed an advanced multispectral camouflage device inspired by the infrared radiation characteristics of Rosaceae plants. Utilizing the phase change material In3SbTe2 (IST), the device achieves multifunctional capabilities including infrared camouflage, thermal management, laser stealth, and visible light camouflage. The design employs particle swarm optimization combined with finite difference time domain methods to optimize performance, enabling it to mimic plant emissivity in key atmospheric infrared windows (3–5 µm and 8–14 µm) and achieve ultra-low emissivity for stealth. The device demonstrates impressive results in both its amorphous and crystalline states, with emissivities closely matching those of natural leaves, thus effectively blending into infrared imaging. It also achieves high laser absorption rates at wavelengths of 1.064 µm, 1.55 µm, and 10.6 µm, enabling laser stealth capabilities. Thermal management