Physical sciences: Designing octopus-inspired camouflaging skin (Nature)
8 January 2026
A new type of synthetic skin that can change both its texture and colour is presented in Nature. This technology could have future applications in camouflage, soft robotics, and advanced display technologies.
The way something looks depends on its colour and texture, but it has been difficult to create surfaces that can independently switch these features on demand. Inspired by how animals such as octopuses can change the appearance of their skin, Mark Brongersma and colleagues developed thin films that can be programmed to change textures and colours. In its initial state, the material is flat and looks plain; but when exposed to water, it swells to reveal patterns and colours.
The authors use electron beams to ‘write’ patterns into the film and add optical layers that create colour effects. These changes happen quickly (most colour changes take less than 20 seconds) and the material can switch back and forth hundreds of times without losing performance. Colour and texture can also be changed independently depending on which side of the skin is exposed to the liquid.
Although each device can currently only show one pattern, future versions could show more, be controlled electronically, and made on a larger scale, the authors suggest. “This dual, independent control over colour and texture creates one of the most sophisticated camouflage systems in the natural world,” note Benjamin Renz and Na Liu in an accompanying News & Views.
- Article
- Published: 07 January 2026
Doshi, S., Güsken, N.A., Dijk, G. et al. Soft photonic skins with dynamic texture and colour control. Nature 649, 345–352 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09948-2
News & Views: Artificial skin mimics the octopus’s art of disguise
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03984-8
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