Squid’s ability to change skin color in response to complex environmental information has fascinated scientists for decades. Now, Chinese researchers have taken inspiration from squid to create a new artificial skin that can not only withstand extreme cold, but also kill bacteria and fungi, opening the door to a variety of potential uses. I got
Like other cephalopods, tropical fish, and chameleons, squid have periodic photonic nanostructures that allow them to change skin color, camouflage, communicate, and court in response to external environmental stimuli. You can do
Squids have thousands of cells called chromatophores just under their skin, which are connected to their nervous system. At the center of the chromatophore is an elastic sac filled with pigment. Muscle contraction controls the size of the chromatophore, allowing the squid to change skin color and change patterns to match nearby rocks and corals. Reflectin proteins found in certain species of squid refract light and are responsible for the animal’s dynamic pigmentation and iridescence.
So far, researchers have applied this process to create heat-retaining skin, develop devices that monitor sun exposure, and turn human cells transparent. Now, inspired by the innate ability of squid skin, researchers at Dalian University of Technology in China have created a new flexible artificial skin that can withstand extreme temperatures and bacteria.
“The biological skin converts environmental information into bioelectric signals and transmits them to the nervous system to sense external tension, touch, vibration, temperature, etc.,” said the study’s lead author. Wenbin Niu told Tech Xplore. “Cephalopod skin, in particular, can more actively perceive complex environments through color changes, in addition to bioelectric signals.”
Researchers have created a new photoionic skin called PIskin, mimicking the arrangement of reflectins in squid skin. When PIskin is exposed to an external stimulus such as a surface, its photonic (light-manipulated) nanostructures cause a rapid color change. At the same time, ionic transport in the skin is altered, allowing it to convert mechanical and thermal stimuli into electrical signals.
“Inspired by the color-changing squid skin, we introduced photonic nanostructures into the e-skin to greatly enhance its sensory capabilities,” said Niu. “In addition to providing quantitative feedback via electrical signals, recording and analyzing stimulus changes, more complex information such as stimulus location, shape and distribution can also be visually identified by color.”
To further boost skin properties, researchers combined glycerol monolaurate (GML), a compound with potent antibacterial properties, and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG-200), an industrial grade surfactant, emulsifier and detergent. 200) was added. GML allows PIskin to kill almost all bacteria and fungi, while PEG-200’s low freezing point means skin can withstand cold temperatures without freezing and is less likely to dry out. increase.
Researchers found that the skin performed well under extreme conditions, accurately measuring strain, pressure, and temperature.
The creation of PIskin opened the door for future applications in the areas of wearable medical devices, soft robotics, prosthetics, and human-computer interfaces. Researchers are also encouraged to examine other color-changing animals.
“There are many interesting animal species that have this color-changing ability,” Niu said. “In our next study, we will further explore the biological architecture of species other than squid and develop corresponding biomimetic skins. Ultimately, these skins can be used in wearable devices, interactive sensing, and other real-world can be used in applications of
Source: Tech Xplore
