By Dr. Tim Sandle
AFP
June 10, 2023
Amici direct vision prism. Image by D-Kuru. CC BY-SA 3.0
Researchers have constructed new smart colour-changing active materials. These are based on an assessment of the natural world, with the findings incorporated into modern technologies.
Physical chemists from the University of Hong Kong have been examining photochromic active colloids with a view to building new smart active materials. For inspiration, the researchers have examined the skin of cephalopods (animals with tentacles attached to the head) and their camouflage ability.
The skin of cephalopods, such as a squid, octopus, cuttlefish, or nautilus, contains pigment groups that can sense changes in environmental light conditions and adjust their appearance through the action of pigment cells.
This colour-changing ability is based on a mechanical mechanism where pigment particles are folded or unfolded under the control of radial muscles. Taking this concept, the scientists formed dynamic photochromic nanoclusters by mixing cyan, magenta and yellow microbeads, achieving photochromism on a macro scale.
To achieve this, the researchers developed a novel wavelength-selective intelligent colloid system that can achieve light-controlled multi-dimensional phase segregation. The resultant macroscopic photochromism relies on light-induced vertical phase stratification in the active microbead mixture.
This leads to the enrichment of coloured microbeads corresponding to the incident spectrum. The process relies on rearranging existing pigments which makes it more reliable and programmable.
In terms of future applications, the technology can be used for developing electronic ink, displays, and active optical camouflage. Electronic ink can be turned into a film and then integrated into electronic displays, enabling novel applications in phones, watches, magazines, wearables and e-readers.
The research output was as a novel photoresponsive ink, created by mixing microbeads with different photo-sensitivity as applied to electronic paper. The principle is similar to the pigment clusters in the skin of cephalopods that can sense the light condition of the environment and change the appearance of surrounding pigment cells through their corresponding actions.
A related objectives was to develop medical micro/nanorobots based on these particles for drug delivery and non-invasive surgery. Here, light-powered microswimmers could function as a type of self-actuated active particles, developed for the purpose of creating controllable nanorobot.
The research appears in the journal Nature, titled “Photochromism from wavelength-selective colloidal phase segregation.”
Amici direct vision prism. Image by D-Kuru. CC BY-SA 3.0
Researchers have constructed new smart colour-changing active materials. These are based on an assessment of the natural world, with the findings incorporated into modern technologies.
Physical chemists from the University of Hong Kong have been examining photochromic active colloids with a view to building new smart active materials. For inspiration, the researchers have examined the skin of cephalopods (animals with tentacles attached to the head) and their camouflage ability.
The skin of cephalopods, such as a squid, octopus, cuttlefish, or nautilus, contains pigment groups that can sense changes in environmental light conditions and adjust their appearance through the action of pigment cells.
This colour-changing ability is based on a mechanical mechanism where pigment particles are folded or unfolded under the control of radial muscles. Taking this concept, the scientists formed dynamic photochromic nanoclusters by mixing cyan, magenta and yellow microbeads, achieving photochromism on a macro scale.
To achieve this, the researchers developed a novel wavelength-selective intelligent colloid system that can achieve light-controlled multi-dimensional phase segregation. The resultant macroscopic photochromism relies on light-induced vertical phase stratification in the active microbead mixture.
This leads to the enrichment of coloured microbeads corresponding to the incident spectrum. The process relies on rearranging existing pigments which makes it more reliable and programmable.
In terms of future applications, the technology can be used for developing electronic ink, displays, and active optical camouflage. Electronic ink can be turned into a film and then integrated into electronic displays, enabling novel applications in phones, watches, magazines, wearables and e-readers.
The research output was as a novel photoresponsive ink, created by mixing microbeads with different photo-sensitivity as applied to electronic paper. The principle is similar to the pigment clusters in the skin of cephalopods that can sense the light condition of the environment and change the appearance of surrounding pigment cells through their corresponding actions.
A related objectives was to develop medical micro/nanorobots based on these particles for drug delivery and non-invasive surgery. Here, light-powered microswimmers could function as a type of self-actuated active particles, developed for the purpose of creating controllable nanorobot.
The research appears in the journal Nature, titled “Photochromism from wavelength-selective colloidal phase segregation.”
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