There is no doubt that in the future high technology will give us the opportunity to begin using so-called “smart” clothing. But the use of such clothing is not limited to the embedding of sensors and sensors to read biometric information. For example, recently, scientists from Cornell and Penn universities introduced a new kind of camouflage material, which is able to change color, surface texture and even shape.
Changing the shape and surface texture depending on the particular needs of a highly complex task to perform which was possible thanks to the creation of the material. He was named CCOARSE — Constrained Circumferentially and Radially Stretched Elastomer.
What exactly is this fabric? It is a polymorphic material created with the inclusion of silicone elastomer fiber loops of a special form. The shape of all loops is calculated taking into account any possible changes in shape of the material in the future. In other words, the fabric is “sewn” information on the form will need to be taken and it remains only to choose the necessary configuration.
At the moment, changing the shape of CCOARSE is produced by changing tension in the fibrous loops according to the special algorithm created for this purpose. As shown by numerous tests, the error in deviation form, which adopts the material, the set does not exceed 10%, which is enough to ensure invisibility. By the way, scientists, as is often the case, inspired by nature, and in this case “prototype” was the octopus, which perfectly mimics the objects of the seabed. So, the error in changing the form of the octopus relative to real objects are also located in the area of 7-10%.
The US military (who sponsored this project), plan to use a new system of camouflage to disguise the robots, reconnaissance and surveillance systems in many different environments from sea depths to the open spaces on the land.
Created the camouflage that can change color and shape
Vladimir Kuznetsov