Smart squid skin: patterns in networks of artificial chromatophores

摘要

Cephalopods employ their colour-changing skin for rapid active camouflage and signalling in complex visual environments. This is achieved with chromatophores, pigment organs which stretch under electrical stimulation to affect local skin colouration. Mimicry of the dynamic skin patterns of cephalopods in soft materials has the potential to produce novel cloaking suits and illuminated clothing. Here, we present the experimental investigation of bioinspired artificial cephalopod skin made from dielectric elastomer. Using simple local feedback mechanisms, we explore a variety of scalable dynamic patterns which include the travelling waves of the cuttlefish passing cloud display and other complex dynamic patterning.