Camouflage via chameleon-like matching with the background, not in the Visible spectral region that the human eye sees in, but rather in the mid- and long-wave infrared region (MWIR, LWIR, 3 to 12 microns). Yields an overwhelming advantage in night operations. A complete camouflage countermeasure against IR cameras operating in these spectral regions. (These IR cameras are not night-vision cameras, which operate in the near-IR to about 2 microns and need some ambient light to work- they don’t work on moonless nights.)
IR Electrochromic Materials
- IR-electrochromic materials change “color” in the IR, dynamically. This “color” is variable and can be adaptive, i.e. matching the background, much like a chameleon, except in the IR.
- These materials can thus provide camouflage countermeasures, in threat situations, against IR cameras operating in the 3 to 12 μm regions. These cameras are not night-vision devices, which operate in the near-IR (0.9 to 1.5 μm) region and are in reality image-intensifiers which need some, minimal light to operate (they do not work on, e.g., moonless nights). Such adaptive, IR camouflage can give tremendous advantage in night operations.
- Performance can be judged by several parameters, e.g. %-Reflectance (%R) contrast in the IR, apparent temperature variation and emittance (integrated emissivity).
Ashwin’s Technology
- Ashwin’s patented dynamic (switchable) IR-electrochromics technology is based on Conducting Polymer (CP) IR-electrochromics, a unique skin design, and a “smart” Controller for efficient, adaptive camouflage.
- They have low power (+/- 3 VDC, < 50 μW/cm²), extremely low cost.
- The electrochromic skins are thin (< 0.5 mm), flexible, very lightweight (0.12 g/cm² or 1.2 kg/m²), extremely durable, cuttable with scissors to any shape/size/area, affixable to any surface.
- Typical performance:
- 76% (extreme light, low-emissivity state) to 4% (extreme dark, high-emissivity state) at 10 μm (LWIR), as measured by FTIR Specular Reflectance.
- 55% (extreme light state) to 13% (extreme dark state) at 5.5 μm (MWIR), as measured by FTIR Specular Reflectance.
- Values “dialable” to any intermediate values between above light/dark extremes.
- Skins can be optimized for the MWIR, LWIR or both.
- Switching Time, for full switching between extreme light and extreme dark states is < 2 s.
- Matching to all kinds of backgrounds, from cold sky, water and foliage to soil, desert sand and man-made structures like buildings, vehicles and soldier uniforms.
- Demonstrated to have excellent durability against expected environmental conditions, including sand blasts, wind, heavy rain and extreme temperatures (-40 to +80°C).
- Superior in performance as well as cost to competing technologies such as Peltier plates, other electrochromic systems, thermochromic systems.
Learn more…
- IR-ELECTROCHROMIC SKINS PRIMER
- DESCRIPTION OF ASHWIN IR-ELECTROCHROMIC SKINS
- PERFORMANCE
- COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE AND COST WITH COMPETING TECHNOLOGIES
- DATA: CONSTRUCTION, APPEARANCE
- DATA: TYPICAL PERFORMANCE DATA
- RELEVANT LITERATURE REFERENCES
- AVAILABILITY AND FURTHER INFORMATION
INFRARED (IR)-ELECTROCHROMICS PRIMER
- IR-electrochromic materials change “color” in the IR. This “color” is variable and can be adaptive, i.e. matching the background, much like a chameleon, except in the IR.
- These materials can thus provide camouflage countermeasures, in threat situations, against IR cameras operating in the 3 to 5 μm (mid-wave IR, MWIR) and 8 to 12 μm (long-wave, LWIR) regions. These cameras are not night-vision devices, which operate in the near-IR (0.9 to 1.5 μm) region and are in reality image-intensifiers which need some, minimal light to operate (they do not work on, e.g., moonless nights).
- Such adaptive, IR camouflage can give tremendous advantage in night operations.
- Performance can be judged by several parameters, e.g.:
- IR Reflectance spectra in the two spectral regions of interest (3 to 5 μm (mid-wave IR, MWIR) and 8 to 12 μm (long-wave, LWIR)). Typically, Specular (rather than Diffuse) spectra give the most information. The larger the contrast between light and dark states, the better the performance.
- Apparent temperature, as measured by an IR camera. For best camouflage, the temperature of the IR-electrochromic skin should be as close as possible to that of the background that one is trying to match.
- Emittance (integrated emissivity). See description of Ashwin-Ushas Variable Emittance Skins.
DESCRIPTION OF ASHWIN IR-ELECTROCHROMIC SKINS
- Patented technology based on:
- Conducting Polymer (CP) as the active IR-electrochromic, yielding the variable IR signature.
- Unique design, allowing direct exposure of active IR-electrochromic to external environment and single-microporous-membrane construction.
- Thin (< 0.5 mm), flexible, very lightweight (0.12 g/cm² or 1.2 kg/m²), extremely durable skins, cut with scissors to suit any shape/size and area.
- Can be affixed to any surface.
- Operate with small, applied DC voltage (less than +/- 3 VDC).
- “Smart” Controller for efficient, adaptive camouflage.
- Extremely low cost.
PERFORMANCE
- Typical IR contrast:
- 76% (extreme light, low-emissivity state) to 4% (extreme dark, high-emissivity state) at 10 μm (LWIR), as measured by FTIR Specular Reflectance.
- 55% (extreme light state) to 13% (extreme dark state) at 5.5 μm (MWIR), as measured by FTIR Specular Reflectance.
- Corresponding emittance variations are ca. 0.15 to 0.80.
- Values “dialable” to any intermediate values between above light/dark extremes.
- Skins can be optimized for LWIR, MWIR, or both. Quasi-independent control of IR and Visible signatures.
- Switching Time, for full switching between extreme light and extreme dark states is < 2 s.
- Matching to all kinds of backgrounds, from cold sky, water and foliage to soil, desert sand and man-made structures like buildings, vehicles and soldier uniforms.
- Cyclability: Tested to 10,000 light/dark cycles without significant degradation.
- Demonstrated to have excellent durability against expected environmental conditions, including sand blasts, wind, heavy rain and extreme temperatures (-40 to +80°C).
- Power requirements: +/- 3 VDC, < 50 μW/cm².
- Indefinite shelf life in packaging and at storage temperatures between -20 and +50°C.
COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE AND COST WITH COMPETING TECHNOLOGIES
- Essentially no competing technology with even comparable performance. Examples of extant, competing technologies:
- Arrays of Peltier plates which are actively, rapidly heated/cooled. These are primarily for countermeasures against night-vision, i.e. near-IR, have very high power requirements and, of course, do not work in the MWIR or LWIR. They are also very expensive and bulky.
- Other electrochromic systems, e.g. those based on poly (2,7 carbazole) derivatives. These have extremely poor IR performance, no match for our systems.
- Thermochromic systems, e.g. those based on, and choleric liquid crystals, or active heating of a metallized plastic surface. These again have extremely poor IR performance, no match for our systems.
- Other variable emittance technologies developed for use in space are not suitable for adaptive, terrestrial IR-camouflage. (See description under Ashwin-Ushas Variable Emittance Skins).
- 1⁄5 to 1⁄10 the cost of other technologies described above (which in any case do not work well in the MWIR and LWIR).
DATA: CONSTRUCTION, APPEARANCE
Click images to enlarge.
LWIR (8 – 12 μm) images:
Side view (IR, 8-12 mm) of person with device affixed to arm/shoulder. IR picture taken with VideoTherm 300.
MWIR (3 – 5 μm) images with IR-electrochromic skin heated to 60°C from behind:
Left: Light (non-emissive) state of skin, showing matching to person’s clothing and complete camouflage of heated area. Right: Dark (emissive) state of skin, showing area heated.
LWIR (8 – 12 μm) images with IR-electrochromic skin mounted on Cu plate heated to 66°C:
The tailorable variation of the apparent temperature (i.e. IR signature), as shown, allows matching with different backgrounds.
Visible photo of the skin, highlighted in blue circle.
Various electrochromic states of skin, with apparent temperatures (as measured by IR camera, at elliptic spot inside blue circle) shown.
Various electrochromic states of skin, with apparent temperatures (as measured by IR camera, at elliptic spot inside blue circle) shown.
MWIR (3 – 5 μm) images with IR-electrochromic skin mounted on Al plate cooled from behind to 11°C:
Bottom row: Left and Right, respectively, light (non-emissive) and dark (emissive) state of skin.
Top row: Same, Visible-region photo.
DATA: TYPICAL PERFORMANCE DATA
Click tables and graphs to enlarge.
LWIR (8 – 12 μm) data
MWIR (3 – 5 μm) data
RELEVANT LITERATURE REFERENCES
Our Technology
- Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2014, 131(19), 40850 (October 2014); DOI: 10.1002/app.40850
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Publications (downloadable pdf)
Competing Technology
- Adaptiv, Active Camouflage Technology
- Multicolored Electrochromic Cells Based On Poly(2,7-Carbazole) Derivatives For Adaptive Camouflage
- Thermal/optical Camouflage with Controlled Heat Emission
- Thermal and Visual Camouflage System
- Passive Control of Emissivity, Color and Camouflage
AVAILABILITY AND FURTHER INFORMATION
For inquiries, please Contact Us.