The ability of animals such as octopuses to change the appearance of their skin inspired the creation of synthetic skin that can modify texture and color on demand. A technology that could have future applications in camouflage or soft robotics.
The visual appearance of surfaces is influenced by their color and texture. Although the creation and adjustment of structural colors was achieved with nanostructures, creating surfaces that can change these characteristics independently, as required, has until now been a challenge.
A study that publishes Nature and headed by Stanford University (EU) presents a synthetic skin inspired by the dynamic modulation of the skin of cephalopods, for which polymeric films with programmable surface textures were developed to change texture and color.
In its initial state, the material is flat and has a plain appearance, but when exposed to water, it swells and reveals patterns and colors.
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The authors used electron beams to write patterns on the film and added optical layers that create color effects, changes that occur quickly (most take less than 20 seconds) and the material can change hundreds of times without losing performance.
The color and texture can also be changed independently, depending on which side of the skin is exposed to the liquid.
Although each device can currently only display one pattern, future versions could display more, be electronically controlled and manufactured on a larger scale, the authors suggest.
This technology, explains Naturecould have future applications in camouflage, soft robotics and advanced display technologies.
With information from EFE
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