Authors: Yilin Ding, Zheyue Mei, Xueke Wu, Wenjing Zhang, Yaqi Zhang, Aike Xi, Di Gao, Fan Lan, Jiaqi Xu, Xungang Diao, Rufan Zhang
Published: 2025-03-11
Source: Full article
AbstractThermal camouflage technology offers critical countermeasures against infrared detection, yet persistent challenges remain in environmental adaptability, multispectral compatibility, and concurrent thermal management. To address these limitations, a spectrally selective modulator is pioneered that synergistically integrates radiative cooling with electrochromic tunability. The proposed modulator achieves spectrally selective emissivity modulation, demonstrating a remarkable emissivity change (Δɛmax = 0.76) within infrared detection bands (3–5 µm and 8–14 µm) while preserving high emissivity (ɛmax = 0.79) in non‐detection bands for passive heat dissipation. Multispectral operability is further evidenced by dynamic diffuse reflectivity control (Rlowest = 0.07/0.05 across visible and near‐infrared band) and terahertz absorptivity modulation (ΔAmax = 0.66), enabling full‐spectrum adaptive concealment. The device achieves ≈10 °C apparent temperature modulation without external heating, effectively disguising a 70 °C target as 40 °C. Radiative cooling efficacy is validated through theoretical modeling (peak cooling power: 367 W m−2) and experimental verification (≈6 °C reduction vs conventional wide‐spectrum stealth surfaces at 60 °C). With rapid switching (<6 s), exceptional cyclability (>103 cycles), and programmable information encryption capabilities. This work resolves the long‐standing trade‐off between adaptive camouflage and thermal regulation through wavelength‐selective emissivity engineering, establishing a versatile foundation for next‐generation intelligent camouflage systems across defense, aerospace, and energy‐efficient thermal regulation applications.