Infrared actuation-induced simultaneous reconfiguration of surface color and morphology for soft robotics.

ABSTRACT: Cephalopods, such as cuttlefish, demonstrate remarkable adaptability to the coloration and texture of their surroundings by modulating their skin color and surface morphology simultaneously, for the purpose of adaptive camouflage and signal communication. Inspired by this unique feature of cuttlefish skins, we present a general approach to remote-controlled, smart films that undergo simultaneous changes of surface color and morphology upon infrared (IR) actuation. The smart film has a reconfigurable laminated structure that comprises an IR-responsive nanocomposite actuator layer and a mechanochromic elastomeric photonic crystal layer. Upon global or localized IR irradiation, the actuator layer exhibits fast, large, and reversible strain in the irradiated region, which causes a synergistica

SUBMITTER: Banisadr S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5727498 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature