Unique, Highly IR- and Visible-Reflective, Highly Stretchable Membranes For Reflective Sights, Adapted From IR Electrochromics Technology

In prior, unrelated work at this firm in IR electrochromics, unique, highly flexible/stretchable Au-coated membranes have been developed which have very high IR reflectance (nearly 100% in the 2.5 to 25 micron region) as well as Vis-NIR reflectance (ca. 99% in the 0.5 to 2.5 micron region). These membranes show no effects of extreme physical abuse (bending, flexing, stretching, dropping, shock) and have very wide operating temperature ranges ((-) 70 to (+) 175 C). A proprietary property of these membranes gives them the unique metal adhesion and high IR reflectance. This technology will be adapted in the present work to highly flexible, stretchable, membranes based on polysiloxanes or similar polymers. Preliminary work done specifically for this proposal (data herein) shows highly flexible, durable, highly IR-reflective Au/PDMS membranes that retain all their properties on > 70% flexure. Proposed Phase 1 work will fabricate, optimize these membranes, with Au, other metals (e.g. Ag, Pt), using a number of variables. An optical device (reflective telescopic sight) will be fabricated and its projection of an image at various F numbers, focal lengths and apertures recorded in the Visible and IR. A detailed design, including control electronics for optical and electronic zoom, will also be arrived at.