A team of researchers from the College of Optics and Photonics of the University of Central Florida (USF) developed a unique "clever" fabric HyperColor, changing color, like a chameleon.

In contrast to the already existing luminous clothing with built-in LEDs, in the new fabric the brightness is generated by the fibers themselves. Each strand is wrapped around ultra-thin pieces of metal. The change in the amount of electric current flowing through them leads to a decrease or increase in the temperature of the tissue. Special pigments inside the filaments react to temperature fluctuations, changing the color of the fabric. The whole process can be controlled with a smartphone.

The chameleon fabric is at an early stage of development and has a number of limitations. In particular, the colors are limited to 4 colors. Despite the fact that the fabric can be washed and ironed, it still remains quite rough, like "jeans." The USF team, together with manufacturers of textile fibers, are actively working to address these shortcomings.

Currently, developers are negotiating with potential partners to organize industrial production of chameleon fabric and bringing it to the market in the coming years.