Robots With Chameleon Skin

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have developed a nanomaterial that mimics chameleon skin, allowing robots to change color in response to movement. The material consists of gold nanorods fused with magnetic nanorods, encapsulated in a polymer shield. By controlling the orientation of these rods using magnets, scientists can program color changes based on movement, such as bending or twisting.

Key Findings

• Gold nanorods shift color depending on their orientation, enabling programmable responses.

• Magnetic nanorods allow precise control over color changes, similar to natural camouflage mechanisms.

• Once dried into a thin film, the material no longer responds to magnets but still changes color when flexed.

• Unlike previous materials, this film can be printed and applied to various surfaces, making it scalable for robotics and adaptive technologies.

• Potential applications include camouflaging robots for environmental exploration, biological research, and smart materials that react to external stimuli.

Yin, Y., et al. (2020). Programmable colorimetric responses in nanomaterials for adaptive robotics. Nature Communications, 11, 3124. https://phys.org/news/2020-06-nanomaterial-robots-chameleon-skin.pdf