Highly Stretchable Micro/Nano Wrinkle Structures for Infrared Stealth Application

Abstract

We demonstrate a novel infrared stealth structure consisting of SiO2/TiO2 film, which was manufactured as the highly stretchable triangular wrinkle structures. The triangular wrinkle structures have firstly been transferred to the flexible substrate from the surface of Si-substrate, which was manufactured by the MEMS technology. Then, the infrared reflective film have been manufactured to be the triangular wrinkle structures by depositing the materials (noble metal (Ag or Au) or multilayer oxide (SiO2/TiO2)) on the surface of flexible substrate. Due to the lower reflection effect of curved surface, the infrared reflectivity of these structures has been tuned down to 5%. And, compared to the flat surface, the reflection-to-diffuse ratios improved approximately one order of magnitude. These structures can adapt to the environment by changing the reflectivity of triangular wrinkle structures under stretching. Finally, an Au-modified infrared stealth structure has been fabricated as the array structures, which disappeared and then display by stretching the triangular wrinkle structures at room temperature. It features high reflection-to-diffuse ratios, stable repeatability, low-cost, and easy to manufacture. It may open opportunities for infrared camouflage for military security and surveillance field application.

Application of a Laser Cutter to Pattern Wrinkles on Polymer Films

“…The laser-induced wrinkled spots initiate additional wrinkles if heated further, and their interaction produces aligned patterns of wrinkles. The technique to control wrinkles reported here could find applications in functional coatings, ,, optics, ,,,, microfabrication, , stretchable electronics, and biology. , …”

“…Wrinkles can be used to determine the elastic modulus of thin films, tailor wettability by modifying surface textures, and create antifouling surfaces . Wrinkles can also be used for microlenses, flexible optical diffusers, microcircuits, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) . Wrinkling is also essential for flexible electronics, diffraction gratings, cell culture plates, and developmental biology …”

“…7 Wrinkles can also be used for microlenses, 8 flexible optical diffusers, 9 microcircuits, 10 and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). 11 Wrinkling is also essential for flexible electronics, 12 diffraction gratings, 13 cell culture plates, 14 and developmental biology. 15 Wrinkles form by compressing thin, rigid films attached to a soft substrate.…”

Stretchable PDMS Encapsulation via SiO2 Doping and Atomic Layer Infiltration for Flexible Displays

“…demonstrated that the stretchable wrinkle structures had a great influence on the reflection, transmission, and absorption of light, which may not be suitable for flexible displays. [ 28 ] Choi et al. reported a novel structurally and materially designed thin‐film encapsulation to protect the flexible display, in which a bioinspired, nacre‐like ZnO/Al 2 O 3 /MgO laminate structure (ZAM) was fabricated for the microcrack toughening effect.…”

“…Besides, Guo et al demonstrated that the stretchable wrinkle structures had a great influence on the reflection, transmission, and absorption of light, which may not be suitable for flexible displays. [28] Choi et al reported a novel structurally and materially designed thin-film encapsulation to protect the flexible display, in which a bioinspired, nacre-like ZnO/Al 2 O 3 /MgO laminate structure (ZAM) was fabricated for the microcrack Stretchable encapsulation plays a crucial role in expanding the applications of flexible electronics, particularly the large-area flexible displays. In this work, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hybrid films with high stretchability, excellent transparency, and good barrier property are achieved by a simple process of SiO 2 doping and atomic layer infiltration (ALI).…”