Preparation method of PDGI/PAAM (Glycerol/H2O). Credit: Advanced Optical Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1002/adom.202302234

Inspired by amphibians such as the wood frog, investigators designed and synthesized a new type of camouflage skin involving one-dimensional photonic crystal structures assembled in three-dimensional flexible gels.

As described in , the camouflage skin can quickly recognize and match the background by modulating the optical signals of external stimuli.

It demonstrated excellent mechanical performance, self-adaptive camouflage capabilities in response to complex surroundings, and long-term stability in real-world living environments. Bright structural color and mechanical flexibility were maintained even at temperatures as low as -80鈩.

The advance could have a range of applications in areas such as , self-adaptive camouflage, soft robotics, and flexible wearable electronics.

"There is a strong driving force toward artificial camouflage skin innovation in terms of flexibility, , and ," said co-corresponding author Wen-Yong Lai, Ph.D., of Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, in China.

"We expect active cooperation with professionals of diverse backgrounds to enable further progress in high-performance amphibian-inspired artificial camouflage research."

More information: Yanting Gong et al, Bio鈥怚nspired Camouflage Skin with Photonic Crystal Structure and Size鈥怌onfinement Effect, Advanced Optical Materials (2024).

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