Adaptive optoelectronic camouflage systems with designs inspired by cephalopod skins

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1410494111
• Publication Date: 2014-08-19T06:18:04Z
• Authors: Cunjiang Yu; Yuhang Li; Xun Zhang; Xian Huang; Viktor Malyarchuk; Shuodao Wang; Yan Shi; Li Gao; Yewang Su; Yihui Zhang; Hangxun Xu; Roger T. Hanlon; Yonggang Huang; John A. Rogers
• Keywords: Camouflage; Cephalopod; Biomimetics; Cuttlefish; octopus (software); Structural Coloration

Significance Artificial systems that replicate functional attributes of the skins cephalopods could offer capabilities in visual appearance modulation with potential utility consumer, industrial, and military applications. Here we demonstrate a complete set materials, components, fabrication approaches, integration schemes, bioinspired designs, coordinated operational modes for adaptive optoelectronic camouflage sheets. These devices are capable producing black-and-white patterns spontaneously match those surroundings, without user input or external measurement. Systematic experimental, computational, analytical studies optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical properties reveal fundamental aspects operation also provide quantitative design guidelines applicable to future embodiments.