Chameleon-inspired tunable multi-layered infrared-modulating system via stretchable liquid metal microdroplets in elastomer film

Yingyue Zhang; Hanrui Zhu; Shun An; Wenkui Xing; Benwei Fu; Peng Tao; Wen Shang; Jianbo Wu; Michael D. Dickey; Chengyi Song; Tao Deng

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-49849-y

Nature Communications (Jun 2024)

Chameleon-inspired tunable multi-layered infrared-modulating system via stretchable liquid metal microdroplets in elastomer film

Yingyue Zhang,
Hanrui Zhu,
Shun An,
Wenkui Xing,
Benwei Fu,
Peng Tao,
Wen Shang,
Jianbo Wu,
Michael D. Dickey,
Chengyi Song,
Tao Deng

Affiliations

Yingyue Zhang: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Hanrui Zhu: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shun An: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wenkui Xing: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Benwei Fu: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Peng Tao: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wen Shang: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jianbo Wu: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Michael D. Dickey: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University
Chengyi Song: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Tao Deng: The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49849-y
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract This report presents liquid metal-based infrared-modulating materials and systems with multiple modes to regulate the infrared reflection. Inspired by the brightness adjustment in chameleon skin, shape-morphing liquid metal droplets in silicone elastomer (Ecoflex) matrix are used to resemble the dispersed “melanophores”. In the system, Ecoflex acts as hormone to drive the deformation of liquid metal droplets. Both total and specular reflectance-based infrared camouflage are achieved. Typically, the total and specular reflectances show change of ~44.8% and 61.2%, respectively, which are among the highest values reported for infrared camouflage. Programmable infrared encoding/decoding is explored by adjusting the concentration of liquid metal and applying areal strains. By introducing alloys with different melting points, temperature-dependent infrared painting/writing can be achieved. Furthermore, the multi-layered structure of infrared-modulating system is designed, where the liquid metal-based infrared modulating materials are integrated with an evaporated metallic film for enhanced performance of such system.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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