Chinese Scientists Develop Revolutionary Material That Mimics Invisibility
Chinese scientists unveil a material that mimics invisibility, blending seamlessly into surroundings with light-triggered colour changes, promising transformative real-world applications.
A groundbreaking development in material science could bring invisibility closer to reality. Chinese researchers have unveiled a camouflage material capable of blending seamlessly into its surroundings, rendering objects or even individuals virtually invisible to the naked eye. The breakthrough, outlined in the scientific journal Science Advances1, has captivated public imagination, drawing comparisons to Harry Potter’s famed invisibility cloak.
The innovation is driven by self-adaptive photochromism (SAP), a process where molecules within the material rearrange themselves when exposed to certain light wavelengths. This transformation causes the material to change colour and merge into its background, much like the natural camouflage abilities of chameleons and octopuses. Unlike biological systems, however, this material relies on synthetic compounds, including organic dyes and specialised molecules known as donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts.
In practical terms, the material starts as a b…
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