Experts from Seoul National University have developed a material that can change its color depending on the environment. This is reported by the journal Nature Communications .
For a visual demonstration, scientists have created a chameleon robot, on the plastic body of which a camouflage coating was placed. Artificial leather is a flexible display consisting of liquid crystal layers that can change color depending on temperature. There are also several layers with heating elements made of silver nanowire. At the same time, the thickness of the material is less than a human hair.
When the robot moves, special sensors analyze the hue and pattern of the surface. The received information is transmitted to the microprocessor. Then the nanowire network heats the liquid crystals so that they take on the desired color.
According to the researchers, there has been a growing interest in adaptive camouflage technologies recently, so the development will be useful in the military field and for creating clothing for hunting. It can also be used in architecture, fashion and art.
In 2018, an international team of scientists together with colleagues from Moscow State University announced about the creation of a synthetic analogue of chameleon skin. The material reacts to mechanical influences by changing its strength properties and color.
Ksenia Nazarova