Advanced Multiphysics Camouflage Based on Low-Emissivity Meta-surface Coupled with Wave-Absorbing and Thermal-Insulating Aerogel

Abstract

The irreconcilable camouflage mechanisms of radar and infrared spectroscopy present substantial challenges to integrating multi-physics field cloaking technology. Although aerogels possess both microwave dissipation and thermal insulation, higher infrared emissivity restrict further amelioration in compatible stealth field. Herein, we propose a bilayer configuration comprised of aramid nanofiber (ANF) aerogel and infrared shielding meta-surface (ISM). The top ISM with low-pass filtering capabilities is engineered to regulate emissivity while remaining transparent to microwaves. While the bottom quaternary ANF aerogels with radar dissipation and thermal insulation are synthesized by multi-scale design strategy and heterogeneous surface engineering. Through theoretical and experimental optimization, the assembled compatible stealth composite achieves a near-perfect absorption in X-band, while the synergy of low emissivity and thermal insulation facilitates concealment in infrared windows. Specifically, the minimum reflection loss (RL) reaches −32.44 dB, effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) expands to 3.69 GHz (8.71–12.40 GHz), and the integration of effective reflection loss value (ΔH) increases to 9.92 dB GHz mm−1. Additionally, low thermal conductivity (0.0288 W (m K)−1) and average infrared emissivity (0.23 in 3–5 µm and 0.25 in 8–14 µm) can reduce infrared radiation energy by 68.1%. This research provides a new thought for the design of multispectral camouflage and demonstrates enormous potential in stealth technologies.