Jellyfish skin can be used as encryption information for confidential information

Researchers at the University of Connecticut were inspired by squid and jelly skin, which can change color or texture to meet certain elements in the surrounding environment . This is considered a breakthrough idea when a message can self-destruct after reading.

Scientists presented their findings at the 52nd National Conference and Exhibition of the American Chemical Society last Sunday. In this study, they said they replicated the properties of the skin in a thin film that could be used to encrypt secret messages or create anti-glare surfaces.

Jellyfish skin can wrinkle and become opaque when they want to scare off predators.

When exposed to moisture, its properties can change, this has never been before. The core problem lies in the wrinkles of the skin surface. Jellyfish skin can wrinkle and become opaque when they want to scare off predators. When squid species are in danger, their muscles shrink, disguised with pigments like the surrounding environment.

Songshan Zeng, a graduate student in the project, said: "The surface becomes transparent when it is flat." Luyi Sun, the lead researcher, said: "Similar to finger skin, any part of the jellyfish when exposed to moisture expands a bit and forms wrinkles."

The jellyfish film is regenerated by placing a thin film of polyvinyl alcohol on the concrete substrate of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). If the jellyfish is wrinkled, it will become opaque. When moisture is added, the skin membrane becomes flattened and becomes transparent and then the message is exposed.

Jellyfish species can be used in message encryption technology.(Source: Shutterstock).

The researchers added that the degree of cross-linking between polymer chains in the skin film may indicate whether wrinkles can be reversed or not. When there is little or no cross-linking, it becomes flat and therefore can cancel the message after reading.

They also found that this type of membrane can be used in less-expensive jobs like retailing, which can help salespeople decide whether to confirm electronic warranty. In the video uploaded by this university, this material has a lot of applications. They can change the transparency, color and reveal unprecedented characters before.