Dynamic materials inspired by cephalopods

Cephalopods (e.g., squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish) have captivated the imagination of both the general public and scientists alike due to their sophisticated nervous systems, complex behavioral patterns, and visually stunning camouflage displays. Given their unique capabilities and characteristics, it is not surprising that these marine invertebrates have emerged as exciting models for novel adaptive optical and photonic materials. Within this context, our laboratory has developed various cephalopod-derived and cephalopod-inspired systems with dynamic functionalities within the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Our findings hold implications for next-generation adaptive camouflage devices and biomedical imaging technologies.