Bioinspired Camouflage Fibers with Computer Vision-Guided Chromatic Adaptation.

Journal: ACS nano
Published Date: May 16, 2025

Abstract

The development of intelligent camouflage systems demands advanced materials and control strategies for dynamic environmental adaptation. Here, we demonstrate a bioinspired camouflage system using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), a cellulose derivative that forms cholesteric liquid crystals with mechanically tunable structural colors. By integrating HPC fibers with computer vision-assisted control, we achieve autonomous color matching with the environment through precise mechanical manipulation. Our system employs computer vision and a custom-designed wavelength-value (WV) mapping algorithm to analyze surroundings and control fiber tension, enabling direct modulation of the reflected wavelength. The closed-loop control system achieves color matching with less than 5% error at room temperature and maintains over 95% accuracy across temperatures from 15 to 35 °C. The HPC fibers exhibit reversible color transitions spanning the visible spectrum (400-700 nm). This integration of sustainable biomaterials with computer vision-guided mechanical control demonstrates an alternative approach for advanced camouflage applications, including military concealment and anticounterfeiting technologies.

Authors

  • Luyao Huang
    Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.
  • Tingyu Cheng
    College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States.
  • Xianzhe Zhang
    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.
  • Haichao Zhang
    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.
  • Tejonidhi Deshpande
    College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States.
  • Yuanqiao Li
    Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.
  • Zhi Xu
    College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China.
  • Gregory D Abowd
    School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
  • Yun Fu
  • Yongmin Liu
    Key Laboratory of Biorheology Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
  • Josiah Hester
    College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States.
  • Jun Li
    Department of Emergency, Zhuhai Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Zhuhai, 519020, Guangdong Province, China. quanshabai43@163.com.
  • Hongli Zhu
    School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.

Keywords

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