A Stimulus-Responsive Optoelectronic Skin From Photonic Crystal

In nature, the ability to regulate and transmit color signals is fundamental to the adaptive survival of many organisms. A key aspect of this adaptability is the autonomous detection of chromatic changes in color-displaying structures, facilitating precise color matching with environmental stimuli. However, conventional mechanochromic materials rely on a single mechanical force feedback channel, lacking the ability to continuously monitor their color state in real-time. In this work, a novel approach is presented that integrates ZnS@SiO 2 photonic crystals and LiCl into a TEMPO-Oxidized cellulose nanofibers-polyacrylamide hydrogel matrix (PAM-TOCNF hydrogel), which successfully endow conductivity variation into this mechanochromic hydrogel. This system mimics the chameleonic mechanism by coupling mechanical force with ion conduction to achieve responsive color changes and real-time color process monitoring. These findings establish a new paradigm for optoelectronic systems with stimulus-responsive capabilities, paving the way for future advancements in bio-inspired, adaptive technologies.