Color-Changing Fabric Could Shield Soldiers from View

Scientists from Nanjing Tech University have created an organic polymer material that can change colors with the application of a low voltage. The material is meant to be used by soldiers in the field, camouflaging them to blend in with their surroundings. The fabric can change color depending on the environment.

The fabric is created by spray coating a solution of PG3/toluene onto the surface of a conductive fabric as the working electrode. A second conductive fabric is used as the counter electrode. The researchers added a fiberglass separator soaked with a gel electrolyte to provide ions and prevent short circuits in the material.

The PG3 exhibits a color-switching time of 1.0 second at a neutral state and 1.5 seconds at a fully oxidized state. The films were cycled 1,000 times between neutral and oxidized and proved to be robust, the researchers say, with a decrease of 5% for the anodic peak current and less than 4% for cathodic. The material is also hydrophobic because of its bulky and long alkoxyl side chains, giving soldiers in wet environments additional protection to keep dry, as well as reducing the chance of the color-changing capacity being washed out of the clothing. The polymer also absorbs infrared radiation, concealing the soldier’s body heat and minimizing detection.

The material changes from a green to a sandy brown color when voltage is applied, allowing soldiers to move from vegetation to desert environments and remain camouflaged without the need for additional gear.