Flexible Chromatic VIS-IR Meta-Textile for Multi-Scenario Stealth

Abstract

Achieving multi-spectral stealth across visible and infrared (VIS-IR) bands is crucial for military and national defense security in diverse environments. However, the coordination of spectrally selective thermal radiation with angle-insensitive color modulation in flexible architectures remains a significant challenge. Herein, we present a chromatic meta-textile enabling flexible VIS-IR multispectral stealth. The stochastic fiber structure with embedded colorants provides wide-gamut coloration, exhibiting negligible color difference between stealth film and different backgrounds as low as 0.4 L*a*b. Simultaneously, the architecture achieves ultralow emissivity (ε = 0.1) in mid-wave infrared (MWIR, 3–5 μm) and long-wave infrared (LWIR, 8–14 μm) bands for infrared stealth, while maintaining high emissivity (ε = 0.58) in the 5–8 μm nonatmospheric window to enable passive radiative cooling. This design features excellent VIS wide-angle compatibility and optical durability, enabling effective stealth in various environments. This integrated multispectral stealth capability, combined with inherent mechanical flexibility and omnidirectional optical stability, positions the structure as a promising solution for next-generation VIS-IR compatible stealth systems.

Keywords

flexibility / infrared and visible stealth / selective emitter / VIS angle-insensitive

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2025 The Author(s). Energy & Environmental Materials published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Zhengzhou University.