Reflective Granules

Hardened Mg(OH)₂ granules with pigment in normal light (left) and in dark (right) taken through Generation 3 Night Vision Devices

The operational and scientific objects for the Infrared (IR) Reflectance Project was to provide the Marine Corps System Command (MCSC) a means to improve night vision for soldiers by developing nanoparticulate materials that can amplify the reflection from the target or absorb infrared light when viewed with IR goggles.

The research team was comprised of faculty and staff from Kansas State University, scientists working for NanoScale Materials, Inc., and personnel working for M2 Technologies. Researchers identified promising reflective or absorptive materials and then studied physically- and chemically-modifying these nanoparticles to enhance their IR reflective or absorptive properties for delivery onto specific targets.

Of the natural materials and nanoparticles examined, magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂, in combination with a binder, sodium silicate, to hardened the granules and minimized breakage when impulsively deployed onto an object or target, was found to be most effective. The Mg(OH)₂ granules were colored using commercially available pigments while the binder was being added for hardening, resulting in homogenous green granules.

Three technologies were developed for NIR-absorptive marker systems for night vision enhancement: camouflaged NIR-detectable prints for textiles and materials based on NIR-absorptive/reflective pigments and distinctive NVD marker patterns, night vision marker printing system for textiles and materials based on NanoActive™ Copper Oxide produced by NanoScale Materials, Inc., and NIR-absorptive marker pen and ink based on copper compounds. Prototype marking pens were developed using proprietary formulations, and can be used to write or draw on many different types of surfaces, ranging from military uniforms and textiles to paper.

Invisible-NIR markers based on NIR absorptive NanoActive™ Copper Oxide printed on cammies, as seen in normal light (left) and Generation 3 night vision devices (right)