2024 Media Watch Archives
Blue-ringed octopus inspires self-healing camouflage & signaling tech
New Atlas -
Inspired by the small but deadly blue-ringed octopus, [UCI] researchers have created a novel technology that rapidly changes color and appearance under various kinds of light, enabling camouflaging and signaling. The tech has potential applications in fields like the military, medicine, and robotics. … “We are fascinated by the mechanisms underpinning the blue-ringed octopus’ ability to rapidly switch its skin markings between hidden and exposed states,” said Alon Gorodetsky, corresponding author of the study. Read More
Engineers invent octopus-inspired technology that can deceive and signal
Phys.org -
With a split-second muscle contraction, the greater blue-ringed octopus can change the size and color of the namesake patterns on its skin for purposes of deception, camouflage and signaling. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have drawn inspiration from this natural wonder to develop a technological platform with similar capabilities for use in a variety of fields, including the military, medicine, robotics and sustainable energy. … "We are fascinated by the mechanisms underpinning the blue-ringed octopus' ability to rapidly switch its skin markings between hidden and exposed states," said senior co-author Alon Gorodetsky, UCI professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. Read More
Blue-ringed octopus inspires camouflage tech
The Engineer -
Native to the Western Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, the octopus uses the iridescent blue rings on its underlying brown skin to signal to other creatures, camouflage itself and ward off enemies. To mimic this action, the UCI team used wrinkled blue rings surrounding brown circles, sandwiched between a transparent proton-conducting electrode and an underlying acrylic membrane, with another identical electrode underneath. The work is published in Nature Communications. According to senior co-author Alon Gorodetsky, the type of molecules used to fabricate the coloured blue ring layer are what endow the devices with their outstanding features, including adjustable spectroscopic properties, ease of manufacturing and stability under illumination. Read More
Blue-ringed octopus, a master of deception, inspires new technology
Earth.com -
The greater blue-ringed octopus, known for its rapid skin changes, has inspired researchers at the University of California, Irvine to develop a new technological platform that mimics the octopus’s dynamic skin patterns. This innovation has potential applications in various fields, including military, medicine, robotics, and sustainable energy. … Senior co-author Alon Gorodetsky, a UCI professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, [said], “We worked to mimic the octopus’ natural abilities … and the result is an octopus-inspired deception and signaling system that is straightforward to fabricate, functions for a long time when operated continuously, and can even repair itself when damaged.” Read More
14 Environmentally Friendly College Campuses
U.S. News & World Report -
UC Irvine converted its central plant to a system that uses more recycled water instead of potable water to cool 65 buildings, conserving more than 80 million gallons of drinkable water per year. Additionally, the University of California system adopted a policy for all of its campuses and medical centers to fully decarbonize – meaning a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – by 2045. Read More
Sneaky color-changing octopus inspires deception tech
Futurity -
Senior coauthor Alon Gorodetsky, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Irvine, [said], “For this project, we worked to mimic the octopus’ natural abilities with devices from unique materials we synthesized in our laboratory, and the result is an octopus-inspired deception and signaling system that is straightforward to fabricate, functions for a long time when operated continuously, and can even repair itself when damaged.” Read More