(Yicai Global) Feb. 27 -- A team at Zhejiang University has developed a fabric that imitates polar bear fur and allows humans to camouflage themselves from infrared imaging devices.

The group, led by Prof. Bai Hao at the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, published its findings in Advanced Materials, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, state-owned news agency Xinhua reported.

The fabric will have strong application prospects in the military and other industries, Bai said, adding that the team plans to optimize the material and bolster its functionality.

The ZJU researchers found that the material it created is an even better insulator than polar bear fur. It tested the fabric by wrapping a piece around a rabbit and between -10 and 40 degrees Celsius, their infrared camera could barely detect the animal.

Polar bear fur is made up of two layers, and is special in that the outer layer absorbs infrared radiation, which cannot be seen by humans but can be felt as heat. The warmth that should be escaping their bodies is trapped in the fur and retained, which keeps polar bears warm and means infrared imaging devices struggle to visualize them clearly.

The researchers also added carbon nanotubes to the fiber, which allows it to self-heat. Powered by a 5-volt cell, the fabric can raise its temperature to 36 degrees Celsius from 24 in a minute.