Penn State researchers create smart synthetic skin inspired by octopus abilities

Researchers created a smart synthetic skin that mimics octopus abilities. The material, made from hydrogel, can change appearance, texture, and shape when exposed to stimuli like heat or solvents. It uses a halftone-encoded printing method to embed digital information. Inspired by cephalopods, this 4D-printed material can encrypt data, enable adaptive camouflage, and power soft robotics, with potential applications in various fields.