Progress toward Dynamic Color-Responsive “Chameleon” Fiber Systems

Fibers and coatings with unique optical, magnetic, and electrical properties are being widely studied for use in both military and commercial applications. New materials are being developed in this research effort, with unique tunable coloration properties across the visible spectrum as well as spanning the infrared and ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These dynamic color-responsive “chameleon” fiber systems will have wide application to a variety of new textile products. These new materials will also allow penetration into markets normally not dependent on textile materials. New markets, such as the optical communication and electronics market areas, will include bio-sensors, detector applications for textile materials, and “smart materials” that can change their color, hue, or depth of shade by application of a static or dynamic electric field for applications such as smart uniforms.