George Mason University

Final Report
By Jacob Menichetti, Daniel
Simon, Taylor Jordon
 Contents
01 Introduction 02 Literary Review

03 Research Methods 04 Discussion

05 Conclusion
 Introduction

Background
Crippling market demand for textiles
Avarice for textiles pf differing color
Unsustainable growth of production and demand
Varying environments round the globe
 Introduction

Problems

Environment Military Scope

Unsustainable In 2017, the military Textiles make up 7%
production and spent 1.5 billion dollars of global waste and
demand for textiles on clothing and 85% of textiles go to
polluting our textiles ( Statista) waste and end up in
environment landfills (Earth.org)
 Introduction

Research Question

What are the optimum production methods for

thermochromic dyes that can change to many
assorted colors at set temperatures?
 Introduction

Objectives
To determine practicality of use of
thermocromism in camouflage
To design a prototype with the
dyes to test the functionality and
practicality of this.
 Introduction

Risks
Little to no risk due to careful
selection of non-hazardous
materials.

The dyes are not harmful and they

can be worn without any danger.
Literary Review
 Literary Review

01 Dynamic Colour Change of

Multifunctional 02 Thermochromic Polymers-
Function by Design
Thermochromic-Fluorescent
Pigments

03 Thermochromism in
Commercial Products 04 Fused-Fluoran Leuco Dyes with
Large Color
Research Methods
 Research Methods

Manufacturing
1. Mix thermochromic dye powder with the dye binder
- Till at desired thickness
2. Then take your cloth and paint the thermochromic
paint on in the desired pattern.
- Be sure to pick a color to remain static
3. Wait till dry
- Be sure to beat the fabric with a stick
 Research Methods

Prototype Design

The figure to the left is a display of

the prototype of the shirt.
The dyes were only applied to the
front due to lack of resources, and
for the purpose of demonstration.
 Research Methods

Prototype Design
Designed for Multiple Environments
-Temperate Forests 50-70 F
-Subtropical 60-75 F
-Tropical 75-90 F
 Research Methods

Qualitative Methods
a. Method 1
Compare The prototype in a standard area to test base camouflauge.

b. Method 2
Directly compare the prototype to different environments
Test for colder Temperate Forests
Test for hotter Tropical Forests with color changing
Results
 Results

Results
Prototype proved to be able to change color
and layering.

The dying pattern and temperature ranged

worked and allowed the thermochromic dyes
to match the desired enviornments
 Results
Before After
 Results

Comparison to Environment

Camouflage worked moderately well to

blend in
It works rather decently but could be
better

Works effectively at night with darker

colors and cooler temperatures
 Results
Comparison to Environment
Temperate Forest Prototype
 Results
Comparison to Environment
Tropical Forest Prototype above 70F
 Results

Implementation
As the Prototype is heated, colors get warmer

Mimics nature i.e. relationship between warmer colors and warmer

temperatures

Leads to a new adaptability for Camouflauge

Conclusion
 Conclusion

Effectiveness
This research shows how thermochromic pigments
can be effectively used to create adaptive
camouflage based on changes in temperature
Optimal production methods
Easily reproducible
Easily can be adaptably to different environments
 Conclusion

Limitations of research
The prototype also cannot be tested in all the
environments directly
Leuco dyes are easily damaged by UV radiation
There was a lack of industrial dying equipment leading
to some minor flaws in the prototype
 Conclusion

Impact

Sustainability

Less need for multiple textiles

less waste

Continual Military Superiority

Better camouflage

More adaptability in uniform

Question and
Answer
Thank You
 Sources
Dynamic Color Change of Multifunctional Thermochromic-Fluorescent Pigments. (2016). Trans Tech Publications.

Seeboth, Lötzsch, D., Ruhmann, R., & Muehling, O. (2014). Thermochromic Polymers Function by Design. Chemical Reviews, 114(5), 3037–3068.
https://doi.org/10.1021/cr400462e

Bühlmann. (2019). Photosynthesis. Philosophy Today (Celina), 63(4), 1037–1050. https://doi.org/10.5840/philtoday2020124310

Nakajima Akio, & Ono Yoshiaki. (2002). Reversible Thermochromism Composition Having Improved Light Resistance and Product Espacenet - Bibliographic
data

White, M. A., & LeBlanc, M. (1999). Thermochromism in Commerical products. Journal of Chemical Education, 76(9), 1201-1205.

Shirasaki, Okamoto, Y., Muranaka, A., Kamino, S., Sawada, D., Hashizume, D., & Uchiyama, M. (2016). Fused-Fluoran Leuco Dyes with Large Color-Change
Derived from Two-Step

Equilibrium: iso-Aminobenzopyranoxanthenes. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 81(23), 12046–12051.

Berets. (2009). UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance of Thermochromic Materials Including Color- Changing Paint.

Fabiani. (2020). Thermochromic materials for indoor thermal comfort improvement: Finite difference modeling and validation in a real case-study
building.