Camouflage in Nature
Many animals have colour patterns which match the environment in which they live. If they freeze against this background, they blend in and are harder to see. Camouflage is present in several groups of animals including cephalopod molluscs, fish, and reptiles.
Color or pattern allows the animal to blend into the environment, they stay behind whatever is available – a thin tree trunk or even a single blade of grass. Their colors and patterns match the colors and patterns of the places where they live. Because of this protective coloration, animals can hide by simply staying still and blending in.
Camouflage in Military
The first recorded large-scale use of camouflage in military was during World War I, On land, artists such as Andre Mare designed camouflage schemes and observation posts disguised as trees. At sea, warships and troop carriers were painted in dazzle patterns that were highly visible, but designed to confuse enemy gunners as to the target's speed, range, and heading. The French established a section de camouflage in 1915.
Active camouflage has its origins in the diffused lighting camouflage first tested on Canadian Navy corvettes including HMCS Rimouski during World War II, and later in the armed forces of the United States of America in the Yehudi lights project, and of the United Kingdom.
In military usage, active camouflage remains at the research stage. Current research aims to achieve crypsis (organisms that are difficult to detect) by using cameras to sense the visible background, and by controlling panels or coatings that can vary their appearance.
On land
Vehicle camouflage techniques begin with paint, which offers at best only limited effectiveness. Other methods for stationary land vehicles include covering with improvised materials such as blankets and vegetation; and erecting nets, screens and soft covers which may suitably reflect, scatter or absorb near infrared and radar waves. Some military textiles and vehicle camouflage paints also reflect infrared to help provide concealment from night vision devices.
At sea
Ship camouflage was introduced in the early twentieth century as the range of naval guns increased, with ships painted grey all over. In the First World War, dazzle camouflage was pioneered by English artist Norman Wilkinson.
In the air
In the air, Second World War fighters were often painted in earth colours above and sky colours below, attempting two different camouflage schemes for observers above and below. Bombers and night fighters were often black; while maritime reconnaissance planes were usually white, to avoid appearing as dark shapes against the sky.
In Textile patterns
A wide variety of camouflaged textile patterns have been developed to suit the need to match combat clothing to different kinds of terrain (such as woodland, snow, and desert), and other purposes such as identifying military units, distinguishing friend from foe, and establishing esprit de corps (disambiguation).
Optical Camouflage: - Active camouflage may now develop using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and other technologies which allow for images to be projected onto irregularly shaped surfaces. Using visual data from a camera, an object could perhaps be camouflaged well enough to avoid detection by the human eye and optical sensors when stationary.
This new technology is inspired by the same natural phenomena responsible for desert mirages. Heated via electrical stimulation, the sharp temperature gradient between the cloak and the surrounding area causes a steep temperature gradient that bends light away from the wearer. The catch: Wearers must love water and be able to fit inside a petri dish.
Quantum Stealth: - Quantum Stealth is a material that renders the target completely invisible by bending light waves around the target. The material removes not only your visual, infrared (night vision) and thermal Signatures but also the target’s shadow.
Author : Walnut Innovations