Physicists at the National Research Technological University MISiS, NTC of Unique Instrumentation RAS and the Turin Polytechnic University (Italy) created a flat stealth coating for antennas and other elongated metal objects. Disguise of this kind appeared for the first time. This was reported in the journal Scientific Reports.

The material was developed as part of a joint project by ANASTASIA (named after Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanova). The objective of the project is to ensure the invisibility of objects in all wavelengths at the nanoscale.

  • The new development is a metamaterial that lowers the electrical response of metal objects.
  • © NITU MISiS

The innovative coating is a metamaterial - a composite material with a given structure, on the surface of which metal and dielectric nanoparticles create a repeating pattern. Placed on antennas or, for example, 5G towers, it isolates them from external electrical radiation, hiding such objects from radars. 

“We came up with a special coating based on an ideal magnetic dipole diffuser that turns an elongated metal object with an electric response into an object with a magnetic response. As a result, such an object becomes invisible, ”explainedAssociate Professor of the Laboratory of Superconducting Metamaterials MISiS Alexei Basharin. 

In addition to its possible use for military purposes, the development will help to “hide” communication towers and other large elongated metal objects in such a way that they do not interfere with airport radars and for communication with aircraft pilots. The material also provides electromagnetic compatibility of antennas on satellites, increases the accuracy of nanosensors in optics and biomedicine due to masking from external radiation and amplification of various magnetic phenomena in nanoantennas and nanolasers.

The developers note that at the next stage of the project they plan to achieve a decrease not only in the electric, but also in the magnetic response of the elongated metal structures. This, in their opinion, will provide such objects with “complete invisibility”.

“We have already deduced the necessary theory. Thus, we come closer to solving the problem of complete invisibility. Although it’s impossible to create perfect invisibility, it’s in our power to take a big step towards this, ”says Basharin.