Functional Multispectral Camouflage Strategy Based on Flexible Transparent Metamaterial Compatible with Radiative Cooling

Abstract

Multispectral-compatible camouflage technology is an inevitable choice to counter the rapidly evolving integrated detection methods. Nevertheless, current multi-spectral camouflage strategies face challenges, including inadequate performance compatibility across bands, insufficient comprehensive camouflage bands, and limited applicability to diverse scenarios. A novel functional multispectral camouflage strategy with practical application potential is proposed here. This strategy integrates infrared and microwave camouflage metamaterials into a flexible transparent structure, achieving multispectral camouflage across infrared, microwave, and laser detection bands while maintaining flexibility and optical transparency. This strategy features a simple fabrication process and is compatible with mature micro-nano fabrication techniques, enabling large-scale production of the samples. In a proof-of-concept demonstration, a sample with an area of 18 × 18 cm² is fabricated based on micro-nano processing technology. Experimental results show that the design achieves: high visible transmittance (>60%), low emissivity (0.36/0.35) in the atmospheric window, high emissivity (0.62) in non-atmospheric window, low reflectance (<0.2) at 1.55 µm, high absorptivity (>0.9) in 4.4–18 GHz. The robustness of microwave absorption performance under different conformal conditions has been confirmed. This work addresses several limitations of current multispectral camouflage technologies and has the potential to unlock new opportunities in areas such as multispectral signal control, integrated thermal management, and wearable stealth protection.