This discovery could one day find practical applications in the creation of clothing or objects that react instantly to temperature changes.

This invention takes the form of an artificial skin on which a thin layer of liquid crystals change colour in response to temperature changes.

This skin can also be made to change colour to mimic its surroundings. The technology could contribute to profoundly transforming the future of clothing design.

Indeed, beyond the technological prowess, it is above all the practical applications that could result from the discovery that are interesting.

One aim would be to design clothes that change colour depending on the temperature. But the applications of such technology are almost endless, whether for clothing, car bodies or phone cases.

The scientists’ findings are published in the journal Nature.