Light-programmable mechanical computing via polyaniline composite film
Mechanical computing represents a highly promising paradigm for environment-adaptive information processing. However, existing implementations are generally constrained by limited architectural scalability, and their modes of application in practical scenarios remain insufficiently defined. Here, we develop a light-programmable mechanical computing system that not only performs scalable logic operations but also enables environment-adaptive optical camouflage. The system is based on a polyaniline composite film (PCF) that integrates light-responsive expansion-contraction elements with a flexible conductive layer. Light illumination dynamically modulates the conductive pathways, giving rise to optically controlled single-pole single-throw (SPST) and single-pole double-throw (SPDT) relays that reconfigure signal transmission routes. Interconnecting these relays enables the construction of basic logic gates and 2-bit full-adder circuits, establishing a scalable paradigm for light-programmable mechanical computation. Moreover, we implement an adaptive camouflage function that senses environmental textures and generates matching optical patterns, demonstrating potential for intelligent skin applications capable of environmental interaction. This work establishes a light-programmable, pathway-reconfigurable mechanical computing framework, expanding possibilities for autonomous and adaptive intelligent systems.
Authors
- Fanqing Frank Chen
- Xiunan Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9487-7334)
- S. Frank Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9121-9694)
- Xing-Jian Yangdong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0583-7312)
- Peng Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5397-9115)
- Chen Pan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4113-717X)
- Feng Miao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7619-4620)
- Yixiang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0231-7453)
- Gong-Jie Ruan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7600-7053)
- Dong Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7867-6965)
- Bin Cheng
- Wentao Yu
- Cong Wang
- Yichen Zhao
- Shi-Jun Liang
- Hang Zhao
- Yuekun Yang
Institutions
- Suzhou University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Nanjing University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Nanjing Brain Hospital (CN)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (CN)
- Nanjing University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2026-03-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70425-z
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
- Government of Jiangsu Province
- Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
- Nanjing University
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences