Stretchable "stealth cloak" ink (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

By Koh Hyunjeong

A research team at the nation's top science and technology school has developed next-generation ink enabling stretchable "cloaking" that renders objects undetectable by surveillance equipment such as radar or sensors.

Led by mechanical engineering professor Kim Hyoungsoo and nuclear quantum engineering professor Park Sanghoo of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, aka KAIST, the team on Dec. 16 said it developed the core technology based on liquid metal composite ink (LMCP) that can absorb, control and shield electromagnetic waves.

The study made the cover of the October issue of the international journal Small.

When the LMCP developed by the team was applied to an object, it absorbed and shielded the emitted electromagnetic waves and prevented detection by surveillance equipment. Flexible like rubber but retaining metallic properties, the material can stretch up to 12 times its original length without losing its electrical traits.

Kim said, "This technology is usable in state-of-the-art technologies including moving robots, wearable devices and radar stealth technology in defense."

hjkoh@korea.kr