Octopuses and other cephalopods are masters of disguise — their prey often doesn’t realize the danger until it’s too late. It only makes sense to model active camouflage after that behavior, then, and a team at the University of Illinois has managed just that. Their octopus-like material uses layers of photosensors, actuators and temperature-sensitive pigment to detect ambient light and change colors in response. Individual points on the unversity’s test skin can turn from black to transparent within a second or two, letting it quickly blend into its surroundings — or purposefully stand out, as you see above. The technology will ideally allow for many colors in the future, although that’s not an immediate priority.
via Engadget
