A material based on industrial hemp provides complete concealment in the infrared spectrum. The thermal conductivity of hempcrete is less than 0.05 W/(m·K), and with wall thicknesses of 40–50 centimeters the structure completely blocks radiation, the press service of Vladimir State University (VlGU) told TASS.
The technology eliminates the need for heavy machinery and prolonged curing. A reinforcing layer is applied to an inflated PVC form, followed by a magnesia-phosphate mixture with hemp shives. After one to two days, the formwork is removed, while strength develops through phosphate hydration. An alternative version using Sorel cement hardens even faster — in 20 to 60 minutes.
No additional heating is required: the heat from people inside (80–120 W from each person) is sufficient to maintain a comfortable temperature.
For the front line and field depots, such a structure solves two tasks at once: concealment from drones with thermal imagers and protection from shrapnel. Unlike traditional reinforced-concrete dugouts, hempcrete does not require digging deep pits or installing massive overhead slabs.
The prototype will be shown at the "Bronya-2026" conference in Kovrov on April 23–24, where specialists will assess the potential for introducing the technology into the state defense procurement system.
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