An ancient solution to a modern problem
Using a similar technique, Jiang and her colleagues embedded radar-defeating geometries directly into RAM textile’s matrix. Quartz fibers create a dielectric base layer, while stainless steel yarns form resonant circuits that dissipate electromagnetic energy as heat.
According to the researchers, each conductive thread is carefully arranged to guide and trap signals, similar to how ancient weavers positioned silk threads to depict dragons or clouds.
Lab tests showed remarkable mechanical advantages. The composite material was found to withstand a tensile stress of 93.5 megapascals in the longitudinal direction, which is more than ten times stronger than traditional coatings.
This durability comes from the knit’s anisotropic structure, where the load-bearing yarns align with the aircraft’s stress vectors, resembling the axial strength of Han-era brocades.