Mechanically Tunable Honeycomb-Structured Metamaterial for Multispectral Compatible Camouflage

Abstract

Traditional metamaterial absorbers are limited by their static structures, making it challenging to dynamically and flexibly tune the absorption frequency of electromagnetic waves. To address this limitation, this article innovatively proposes a multifunctional and reconfigurable mechanically tunable honeycomb-structured metamaterial for multispectral compatible camouflage (MTHS-MC). It consists of three main structural layers: the mechanical structure layer (MSL) the infrared stealth layer (IRSS), and the color-changing layer (CCL). Its unique honeycomb-like mechanical structure enables flexible tuning of the absorption band through compressive geometric configuration. This design achieves controllable deformation of the honeycomb structure (with a deformation value reaching 32$\sqrt{3}$/15 mm). This reconfiguration mechanism differs fundamentally from traditional geometric optimization approaches, allowing real-time switching between dual absorption peaks at 7.66 GHz and 16.51 GHz. Simultaneously, the CCL adjusts its color in response to temperature variations, achieving visible-light camouflage. Experimental results show that this metamaterial can switch between two absorption peaks within the 0–20 GHz range, and achieve broadband absorption within the 30–100 GHz range. Additionally, it demonstrates an infrared emissivity of 0.292 in the 3–14 μm wavelength band. This design enables dynamic switching between different absorption bands, making it highly efficient for practical applications in complex environments.