Artificial skin changes color like a chameleon, with the help of nanomachines

From CNET.com (Aug. 22):

Scientists at the University of Cambridge are using nanomachines, or extremely tiny robots, to create artificial skin that changes color in the light. Researchers think the skin could be used to create active camouflage or dynamic images.

The material consists of tiny particles of gold coated in a polymer shell which are then squeezed into microscopic droplets of water in oil, according to the research published Tuesday in Advanced Optical Materials. When exposed to heat or light, the particles stick together and the artificial skin's color changes.

The scientists modeled the skin's design after animals like chameleons and cuttlefish, which are able to change color because of chromatophores found in their skin. The color is determined by how close or far apart the particles are. If the nanoparticles spread apart, they show as red. If they're clustered together, they look dark blue. For now, since the researchers have only developed a single layer, the skin can only change to one color. Adding more layers could make the skin more dynamic.

"Loading the nanoparticles into the microdroplets allows us to control the shape and size of the clusters, giving us dramatic color changes," Andrew Salmon, a study co-author, said in a statement.  [read more]

Cool. Not sure what they are going to do with the tech, but interesting nonetheless.