Hollow Fiber @VO2 Composite Fabrics via Coaxial Spinning and Coating for Dual-Band Visible and Infrared Stealth

Abstract

The rapid progress in detection technologies is propelling reconnaissance systems toward multispectral and omnidirectional capabilities. Traditional single-band concealment methods are now inadequate for the increasingly complex detection environment. Therefore, this study develops an adaptive dual-band stealth fabric by weaving hollow gel fibers and coating them with vanadium dioxide (VO2). Thanks to VO2’s temperature-driven phase transition, the fabric dynamically modulates optical and thermal properties. It exhibits excellent insulation, with a thickness of 1.683 mm and a thermal conductivity of 0.03676 W/(m·K). COMSOL simulations validated its thermal management under high temperatures. For infrared stealth, when heated above 68 °C, the fabric’s emissivity (8–14 μm) drops from 0.967 to 0.714 (Δε = 0.253), enabling adjustable thermal camouflage. In the visible band, its deep green color blends with natural backgrounds like jungles and further optimizes after phase transition. This work offers a promising material solution for next-generation intelligent protective equipment in complex battlefield environments.