With the rapid development of multispectral detection technology, the demand for multi-band, multifunctional, and compatible infrared camouflage in complex military environments is becoming increasingly urgent. Traditional infrared camouflage technology mainly focuses on the control of single-band emissivity, and the static design is hard to match with the surrounding environment and actual needs. When the target has a significant difference in emissivity compared to the environment, low-emissivity camouflage may expose itself due to abnormal thermal signals. At the same time, existing technologies often overlook the needs of multispectral compatibility, such as the lack of comprehensive management of heat accumulation, laser stealth, and visible light camouflage when achieving infrared camouflage. The adaptability mechanisms in nature provide new insights, such as the unique spectral characteristics of Rosaceae plants. Their band response patterns offer significant inspiration for the design of tunable and compatible visible light camouflage, as well as infrared and laser stealth. The emergence and application of phase change materials provide a possibility to solve this key problem. The reversible switching between crystalline and amorphous states supports the regulation of optical parameters, enabling multifunctional compatible stealth and camouflage in infrared, laser and visible light bands.

A Dartmouth-led study identifies potentially more that 300 small galaxies orbiting low-mass systems known as dwarf galaxies. If confirmed, these satellite galaxies—which are about one-tenth the size of the Milky Way—could provide new, clearer insight into galaxy formation and its connection to dark matter. The study triples the number of dwarf galaxies that have been surveyed in search of satellite star systems.

Research shows that while connections between innovations speed discovery, they also sharply increase the risk of total system collapse – with the sweet spot for sustainable innovation proving surprisingly narrow.

Chemical-free pesticides and integrated pest management are the need of the hour to limit the damage to the environment while improving food productivity. In a new study, researchers from Japan have turned their attention to aromatic bush basil plants to contain agricultural pests. They found that the volatile organic compounds emitted from bush basil could activate plant defense-related genes in the leaves of common bean plants cultivated closer to bush basil.

Two researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) were honoured at the 21st International Electromagnetic and Light Scattering Conference in Milazzo, Italy:

Prof. Andreas Macke, Director of TROPOS was honoured with the "Elsevier van de Hulst Prize for Light Scattering" 2025 for his significant contributions to the understanding of scattering properties of atmospheric ice crystals. Prof Macke has developed and applied light scattering models based on geometrical optics for complex irregular ice crystals and thus achieved a breakthrough in the consideration of realistic crystal structures. His models and results are used worldwide in numerous scientific fields such as astrophysics, biology, medicine and, of course, atmospheric physics. The prize honours the life's work of an individual scientist who has made a pioneering contribution to the research field of electromagnetic scattering by particles and its applications.

Dr Moritz Haarig from TROPOS received the AS&T Young Scientist Award for the best presentation at the conference. The AS&T Award has been presented since 2025 for outstanding conference contributions by young scientists.