Open Manufacturing: Cephalopod-Inspired Reconfigurable Camouflage

Abstract

We propose the manufacture of electrically reconfigurable camouflage devices from reflectins, which are proteins that help cephalopods modulate their coloration across the entire visible spectrum. Our approach draws inspiration from reflectin-based nanostructures found in cephalopod skin cells and builds upon recent studies of the unique optical and electrical properties of reflectin proteins. We intend to produce coatings whose coloration spans both the visible and the near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, thereby both mimicking and improving upon the natural capabilities of cephalopod skin. The resulting devices will constitute a key step towards cephalopod-inspired reconfigurable infrared camouflage technologies for military stealth applications.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Feb 10, 2016
Source ID
HR00111510008

Entities

People

  • Alon Gorodetsky

Organizations

  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
  • Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics