Infrared invisibility stickers inspired by cephalopods

Abstract

The skin morphology of cephalopods endows them with remarkable camouflage capabilities. Herein, we report infrared invisibility stickers inspired by the structures and proteins found in cephalopod skin. These stickers enable arbitrary objects to acquire reconfigurable infrared camouflage patterning. Our work represents an initial step towards wearable biomimetic infrared stealth technologies.

Production and electrical characterization of the reflectin A2 isoform from Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii

“…[16][17][18][19][20] Within this context, a number of literature reports have investigated the properties of unique structural proteins known as reectins, [7][8][9][10]14,[16][17][18][21][22][23][24] which are found in cephalopod skin cells (i.e. leucophores, iridophores, and chromatophores).…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Recently, these animals have drawn signicant attention as sources of novel materials for optical systems, 7-10 biomedical technologies, [11][12][13][14][15] and bioelectronic devices. [16][17][18][19][20] Within this context, a number of literature reports have investigated the properties of unique structural proteins known as reectins, [7][8][9][10]14,[16][17][18][21][22][23][24] which are found in cephalopod skin cells (i.e. leucophores, iridophores, and chromatophores).…”

“…[25][26][27][28][29][30] In vivo, reectins in general have been shown to play important roles in cephalopod adaptive coloration by serving as components of optically-active ultrastructures, including layered stacks of membrane-enclosed platelets in iridophores, 25,26 membrane-bound arrangements of spherical microparticles in leucophores, 27,28 and interconnected networks of pigment granules in chromatophores. 29,30 In vitro, the Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii reectin A1 (RfA1) isoform has found applications in recongurable infrared camouage coatings that are actuated by chemical and mechanical stimuli, 7,8 proton-conducting lms with electrical gures of merit rivaling those of some articial analogues, [16][17][18] and biocompatible substrates that support the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells.…”

Masters of disguise

“…Morse showed that reversible phosphorylation of reflectin inside the iridophores changes the size and spacing of between the alternating layers, modulating the reflectance in the process. 3 Long Phan, graduate research assistant in the Gorodetsky group, explains: 'When the cephalopod skin decides it needs to change colour, acetylcholine is released, which causes a cascade of chemical reactions that ultimately cause the release of protein kinases and…”

Textiles: Fabrics of life

“…Using various chemical, mechanical and electrical stimuli, he has found a way to fine-tune the optical properties of coatings based on reflectin to bounce back particular wavelengths of lightnotably those in the near infrared. In February 2015, Gorodetsky and his colleagues showed that physically stretching films of these proteins resulted in a tunable shift in reflectance 4 .…”