A team of researchers from the University of California San Diego has created a wearable device that makes the wearer imperceptible to heat-detecting sensors, such as those built into night vision goggles, even during ambient temperature changes.

The surface of the prototype camouflaging device can rapidly decrease or increase temperatures to mimic ambient temperatures, thereby shielding the wearer’s body heat from detection, climbing from 10° C to 38° C (50° F to 100.5° F) in under one minute. Simultaneously, the wearable device’s interior stays the same temperature as the surface of human skin, which is roughly 30° C (86° F).

To develop the technology, the team used a phase-changing wax-like material with complex properties and a melting point of 30° C (86° F) — the same temperature as the surface of human skin. When exposed to temperatures beyond the device that are higher than 30° C, the material will insulate the wearer by melting and stabilizing. When introduced to colder temperatures, the material will continue to insulate, but in a solid state.

The team of researchers envision eventually embedding the device into fabric for armbands and jackets, for example.

The device is detailed in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

To see how the material works, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of the University of California San Diego.