Protochromic Devices from a Cephalopod Structural Protein

Abstract

Cephalopods possess remarkable camouflage capabilities, which are enabled by their complex innervated skin architectures and advanced nervous systems. As such, cephalopod skin constitutes an exciting model for biomimetic camouflage technologies. This study draws inspiration from the constituent components of optically active ultrastructures found in squid skin cells to help design color‐changing bioelectronic devices, which consist of a proton‐transporting active layer contacted by a proton‐conducting actuating electrode. The devices exhibit distinct shifts in their reflectance and coloration, which are attributed to active layer thickness changes induced by the direct electrical injection/extraction of protons. The reported findings may hold relevance for developing novel color‐changing technologies, understanding ion‐transporting biological systems, and engineering improved bioelectronic platforms.

Bio‐inspired Design and Additive Manufacturing of Soft Materials, Machines, Robots, and Haptic Interfaces

“…[124] Synthetic soft display and camouflage materials inspired by natural organisms,e specially those from animalia, have shown more capabilities than those found in nature.Recently, materials that demonstrate autonomous color-changing behaviors when triggered by multiple environmental stimuli have been developed. [125][126][127] Color or light, however, is not the only approach towards effective camouflage and stealth. Other aspects of visual perception may also affect ones ability to distinguish two entirely different objects.F or example,P ikul et al recently reported as tretchable membrane comprising af iber mesh embedded in as ilicone elastomer sheet.…”

A Reconfigurable Color Reflector by Selective Phase Change of GeTe in a Multilayer Structure

“…The gradual change of their optical or electrical properties in the presence of an external stimuli has been demonstrated to be very useful in neuromorphic systems . Recently, an organic‐based protein called reflectine, which is extracted from cephalopods, has been used to demonstrate color tuning in the visible, and camouflage in the visible to near‐IR ranges in mild environments when durability is not a critical factor …”

Bioinspiriertes Design und additive Fertigung von weichen Materialien, Maschinen, Robotern und haptischen Schnittstellen

“…Inspiriert von natürlichen (insbesondere tierischen) Organismen haben synthetische weiche Anzeige‐ und Tarnmaterialien mehr Fähigkeiten als die natürlichen gezeigt. In den letzten Jahren wurden Materialien beschrieben, die ein autonomes Farbänderungsverhalten zeigen, das durch mehrere Stimuli aus der Umgebung ausgelöst wird . Farbe oder Licht ist jedoch nicht der einzige Ansatz zum wirksamen Tarnen.…”