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Which seems like it would be good for fixed installations that need to remain undetected, no?

The other caveat is that it only works if you're embedded inside a solid object. ;)

If you're in free space, the surface can't shine its IR differently in different directions, so under FLIR it will just look like the average ambient temperature. This is no better than existing (cheap and light) space blanket camo systems.

Well, could be still useful for hiding things in bulk materials ?

From scientific uses (sensors, cables or supports not disrupting experiments) to smuggling/hiding listening devices/trackers or boobytraps in bulk shipments, etc.

The main problem with space blankets is that they eventually heat up. So they only work for a little while, and then have to re-equilibrate back to ambient, then you put them back on, then take off to re-equilibrate...

So this new tech appears to overcome that shortcoming, for static objects.

More likely craft looking to reduce heat seeking missles or detection. Think better heat diffusion on helicopter or tank exhaust. Fixed installations would use thermal nets or space blankets.

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