Patent ID: 11913591
Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F  C | IPC B  C  F

Claim 21:
22. A method for controlling IR radiation emitted by an object or body comprising:
enveloping the object or body emitting IR radiation in a composite material with adjustable spectral properties comprising:
an elastomeric matrix characterized by an elastomer thickness and comprising an IR-transparent, flexible, and stretchable material characterized by an elastic modulus,
a plurality of micro-domains overlaying the elastomeric matrix, the plurality of micro-domains being characterized by a micro-domain thickness and comprising an IR-reflecting material,
a plurality of spacings separating the plurality of micro-domains, the plurality of spacings comprising the elastomeric matrix having no overlaid IR-reflecting material, and
a plurality of nanostructures anchoring the plurality of micro-domains into the elastomeric matrix, the plurality of nanostructures being characterized by a nanostructure height that is not included in the micro-domain thickness,
wherein the plurality of spacings is dynamically adjustable via mechanical manipulations of the elastomeric matrix; and

mechanically manipulating the elastomeric matrix in a controlled manner to adjust the plurality of spacings between the plurality of micro-domains to release or contain IR radiation emitted by the object or body.