From nature to the lab: How octopus skin inspires interactive synthetic leathers

From nature to the lab: How octopus skin inspires interactive synthetic leathers

Skin is not merely an outer covering that separates a living organism from its environment; it is a dynamic, active interface that constantly interacts with the world around it. It captures light, responds to touch, and transmits subtle signals of safety or danger. This role culminates in the skin of the octopus, which possesses an astonishing ability to change its color and texture in moments, adapting to its surroundings in a behavior akin to the art of natural optical illusion. This biological marvel has not only fascinated scientists but has also prompted them to ask: Can these advanced properties be transferred to synthetic materials, transforming the surfaces around us from inanimate and silent elements into interactive entities capable of responding to their environment? A Synthetic Material Inspired by Octopus Skin In this context, Nicholas Miloch, a professor at Stanford University specializing in bio-inspired soft materials, and his research team are working on developing a sy…