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  11. Bioinspired Synergistic Texture And Color Modulation Enabled By Surface Instability Of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomer Bilayers

Bioinspired synergistic texture and color modulation enabled by surface instability of cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer bilayers

Xiao Yang1, Jay Sim1, Wenbin Huang1

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Science Advances
|October 29, 2025

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View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Inspired by cephalopods, this study introduces a novel bilayer material that dynamically changes color and texture. This programmable material offers new possibilities for intelligent optical materials and thermal regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Biomimetic Engineering

Background:

  • Cephalopods exhibit remarkable camouflage abilities by altering skin texture and color.
  • Developing synthetic materials with similar dynamic optical and textural properties is a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create a bilayer material mimicking cephalopod camouflage.
  • To achieve simultaneous, reversible modulation of surface texture and structural color.
  • To explore applications in intelligent optical materials and thermal regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer-liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE-LCE) bilayer.
  • Utilizing programmable wrinkling for texture and color modulation.
  • Employing spatially selective UV curing and chemical patterning for precise control.

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Main Results:

  • Achieved on-demand wrinkle morphologies and color combinations by tuning fabrication parameters.
  • Demonstrated region-specific color responses and localized surface textures.
  • Showcased dynamic thermal regulation through synergistic modulation of morphology and color.
  • Enabled strain-dependent multistate encoding via multistep UV curing.

Conclusions:

  • The CLCE-LCE bilayer provides a versatile platform for programmable, strain-responsive surface and optical properties.
  • This work advances intelligent materials by merging surface instabilities with tunable structural coloration.
  • The developed material has potential applications in adaptive optics, sensors, and smart coatings.