Inconspicuous Taggant for Combat Uniforms

Our development of inconspicuous and wavelength specific detectable taggants for combat uniforms will result in significant performance enhancement in identification of friend or foe. We propose to use novel metal nanostructures as taggants that can be readily detected using thermal imaging devices, and yet are not visible to the naked eye. These nanotaggants can be incorporated into camouflage uniform textile either by topical application or directly embedding them into textile fibers. The taggant modified materials can then be fabricated into patches or tapes for application onto military uniforms. The physical properties of the nanotaggents are controlled so that only specific wavelength bands of infrared radiation are scattered, permitting identification of prescribed patterns with infrared band matching detection equipment. During the Phase I research period we will deliver to Army personnel for testing taggant modified patches and tape materials which match standard combat camouflage uniforms.