Conventional machines rely on rigid, centralized electronic components to make decisions, which limits complexity and scaling. Here, we show that decision making can be realized on the material-level without relying on semiconductor-based logic. Inspired by the distributed decision making that exists in the arms of an octopus, we present a completely soft, stretchable silicone composite doped with thermochromic pigments and innervated with liquid metal. The ability to deform the liquid metal couples geometric changes to Joule heating, thus enabling tunable thermo-mechanochromic sensing of touch and strain. In more complex circuits, deformation of the metal can redistribute electrical energy to distal portions of the network in a way that converts analog tactile ‘inputs’ into digital colorimetric ‘outputs’. Using the material itself as the active player in the decision making process offers possibilities for creating entirely soft devices that respond locally to environmental interactions or act as embedded sensors for feedback loops.

The long afterglow strontium aluminate phosphor SrA_l2O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ was prepared by a solid-state reaction method. The luminous fiber was prepared by melt spinning mixturing this complex and polyethylene terephthalate. The morphology and optical properties of the products had been characterized. Scanning electron microscope photographs indicated that rare earth aluminate salts were distributed on the fiber surface. X-ray diffraction diffusion data revealed that the crystal lattice of the polymer had not been significantly affected by the presence of the phosphor. The excitation spectrum showed broad bands in the ultraviolet and visible regions, and emission spectrum of the luminous fiber was shown to be red-shifted with a peak at 550 nm compared with that of the phosphor at 520 nm. The afterglow intensity of the luminous fiber decayed over an extended period, following an initial sharp reduction. The chromaticity diagram revealed a significant difference in the intensity of the luminous fiber and the phosphor, but only a minor color difference between them. The breaking strength and elongation of the luminous fiber were slightly below those of a normal polyester fiber.

A dynamic luminescent material that can change its color upon exposure to different photo-stimuli is significantly important and always desirable in color-on-demand applications such as anticounterfeiting and encryption. Herein, a facile approach for the fabrication of full-color dynamic luminescent materials based on trichromacy and dynamical afterglow was reported. Trichromic (green, blue, and red) luminescent materials (SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺, CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Nd³⁺ and Ca_0.25SrS_0.75:Eu²⁺) were synthesized by a high temperature solid state method. After simply blending them together, a dynamic full range of afterglow was observed after ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) lamp irradiation. The afterglow intensity of mixtures revealed the existence of an interaction impact and energy transfer between components. The emissive colors were tunable in the full-color region simply by adjusting the blending ratio or excitation wavelengths. Moreover, the mixtures revealed the photo-stimuli responsive properties from different excitation sources. Ultimately, a luminescent three-dimensional (3D) code that could be read out by using a smartphone was prepared through this blended trichromic material. As a result, the pattern could only be read out after UV-vis lamp irradiation and could be converted to other information. These results indicate a facile, simple, and effective method for information encryption, conversion, and dynamic anticounterfeiting.

Tea tree oil (TTO) exhibits excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In order to preserve it from the degradation in the presence of oxygen, light and temperature, TTO was encapsulated in liposomes (LTTOs) using the thin-membrane hydration and sonication method, and characterised by Zetasizer for size and size distribution, transmission electron microscope for morphology, zeta-potential for surface charge, entrapment efficiency and TTO release from the nanoparticles. The antimicrobial activities of phosphate-buffered saline solution containing TTO, unloaded liposomes and LTTOs suspension were determined by twofold serial broth dilution technique. The size of LTTOs was 75 nm and the encapsulation efficiency of 96.08% was obtained. LTTOs exhibited slow release of TTO and superior broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects compared with free TTO. Liposomes not only effectively encapsulated TTO to form a stable liposome suspension, but also enhanced inhibition and bactericidal effect on the TTO-tolerant strain. The liposomal systems carrying TTO may be a potential alternative for effective antimicrobial agents.