Variable Emissivity Solid-State Metasurface for Dynamic Combat Identification Panels

The current technology of combat identification panels (CIPs) relies on, essentially, mirrors and blackbodies to create a highly contrasting signature in the longwave infrared (LWIR), in order to avoid blue-on-blue "friendly fire" incidents. Unfortunately, with the very low cost and foreign availability of LWIR cameras, such a static signature is subject to enemy observation and spoofing. Using an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metasurface, Oxford Defense North Carolina LLC will develop a dynamic solid-state large-format variable emissivity surface. By relying completely on solid-state physics, the device will be modulated with low voltages and exhibit infinite switching lifetime. The technology is tolerant to temperature extremes, shock and vibration, and contamination, while showing switching times of less than one second. Scalability to large formats is made possible with modern integrated circuit technology, allowing single pixels to be in excess of 3 inches and panels of greater than 24 inches square are possible.