Human camouflage and expression via soft mask from reprogrammable chemical fluid skin

Abstract

Developing a wearable, active, dynamic face-changing mask for human camouflage and expression is a substantial challenge. Many organisms achieve camouflage and expression through skin deformation and color change. Inspired by this, we report a reprogrammable chemical fluid skin, which achieves deformation through fluids like the skin of a pufferfish and achieves color change function like the skin of a chameleon. Based on the skin, we design a soft mask that allows switching between at least eight human faces at a time. The soft mask is lightweight, thin, and fits the wearer’s head. Its actuation is silent and safe, and can realize facial switching, including facial color and shape. By wearing the soft mask, robots can show facial changes and expression modulation, and humans can change their faces as needed. Our work enables the implementation of transforming a human into other humans in the real world to achieve camouflage and expression, which, to date, exists only in people’s imagination.