Inspired By the Octopus: Active Nano-Optics Enables Photonic Skin

Fascination Technology Inspired By the Octopus: Active Nano-Optics Enables Photonic Skin

2026-02-04 From University of Paderborn | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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In our "Fascination Technology" section, we present impressive research and development projects to design engineers every week. Today: How a new type of thin film layer can dynamically change both color and surface structure.

Copied from the octopus: Researchers have developed a film-like thin-film platform that can dynamically change not only its color but also its surface structure.(Image: AdobeStock_95634179_ CrazyForAnimeArt) — Copied from the octopus: Researchers have developed a film-like thin-film platform that can dynamically change not only its color but also its surface structure.
(Image: AdobeStock_95634179_ CrazyForAnimeArt)

Inspired by the adaptability of octopods, a team of researchers from the universities of Stanford, USA, and Paderborn, Germany, has developed a film-like thin-film platform that can dynamically change not only its color but also its surface structure. In future, the technology could be used in intelligent camouflage systems, flexible displays, robotic systems or even in bioengineering applications, for example for the targeted manipulation of cells.

A polymer film containing the composite material polystyrene sulphonate serves as the basis. This swells due to moisture and forms extremely fine, nanoscale structures. Junior Professor Dr. Nicholas Güsken from the Department of Physics at Paderborn University explains: "Electron beam lithography, as used in semiconductor production, allows the film to be precisely pre-treated so that certain areas swell to different degrees. This creates controlled surface patterns that appear when exposed to moisture and change from glossy to matt depending on the water content."

The surface structure influences the scattering of light and creates a realistic visual experience. In addition, colors are created by so-called Fabry-Pérot resonators, in which metallic layers on the polymer film change the wavelength of the reflected light depending on the thickness of the film. In this way, a monochrome film can change into a colorful, complex pattern when moisture is added.

The structures are reversible: by controlling the water content in the environment, the surface either returns to its original flat state or specifically adopts new patterns. This makes it possible—very similar to the octopus—to dynamically adapt the photonic skin to a background.

Control Color And Texture Independently of Each Other

By combining several layers, it was possible to control color and texture independently of each other, a unique ability to date. "The active control of light-matter interactions at the micro- and nanometer level offers far-reaching possibilities in basic science, but also for technological applications," explains Prof. Güsken. Future developments are aimed at integrating AI and its sub-area of computer vision in order to control the adaptation to different backgrounds automatically and in real time. In addition, material technology is also being researched in the artistic field.

About the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09948-2

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