The Use of Phototropic Camouflage Colorants in Combat Clothing to Protect Against Nuclear Flash Radiation

Abstract

A theoretical analysis was undertaken to explore the feasibility of using phototropic camouflage colorants in combat clothing for protection against the intense flash pulse emitted by a nuclear bomb detonation. Such colorants would undergo rearrangement to colorless forms in the initial stage of the nuclear flash pulse, thereby increasing the re flectivity of the fabric, and would revert to the colored form when the flash pulse sub sides.

In this analysis, rate equations describing the behavior of a model phototropic color ant in bright sunlight and its response to a defined nuclear flash pulse were derived. These equations were used to explore feasibility on theoretical grounds in terms of kinetic considerations. Feasibility was indicated, theoretically at least, provided , certain requirements could be met. These requirements were expressed by the relative magnitudes of the rate constants of the photoinduced decoloration and the thermally induced color restoration processes, and the activation energy associated with the latter, process. There was also indication from the kinetic considerations, that in subsequent screening studies for suitable phototropic colorants provision must be made for detect ing transient decoloration cycles with duration times of less than one second.