Octopus-inspired smart skin uses 4D printing to encrypt data, change shape on demand

Penn State researchers developed a programmable hydrogel skin that morphs shape and encrypts information on demand.

Originally written by Neetika Walter for Interesting Engineering, on February 05, 2026

The team encoded the Mona Lisa into the smart skin using their halftone-based printing method.

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new fabrication method that allows a programmable “smart synthetic skin” to change its appearance, texture, and shape while also hiding or revealing information on demand.

The material is made from hydrogel, a water-rich, gel-like substance, and is produced using a technique the team describes as 4D printing.

Unlike traditional synthetic materials with fixed properties, the smart skin can dynamically respond to external stimuli such as heat, solvents, or mechanical stress.

The approach allows a single sheet of material to perform multiple functions at once, including adaptive camouflage, information encryption and decryption, and shape morphing.

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