Color Change

This project is for my science and art class named Bioneers. The purpose of this project was to make a design based on a certain animal adaptation. First we had to pick an animal with a unique adaptation. Next, we had to come up with a design that mimicked that animal's adaptation. Lastly, we had to make a collage of what we wanted it to look like a how it worked. For this project I chose a chameleon and its ability to change colors. I learned a lot about what allows a chameleon to change colors and why. I am proud of all the work I did on the chameleon and my design. Please read more about the chameleons design and my design below. Enjoy!

current design:

The current design of a chameleon is very complicated but amazing. The chameleon has 8 layers of skin and the first layer is transparent. Under the first layer of skin are pouches of different color pigments that come out for camouflage or other reasons. Most people think chameleons only change color for blending in, but they also change to show emotion or heat signatures. The reason the chameleons change colors is cause the color packets burst letting a certain color come to the surface of the skin and change the chameleons skin color. If you look at the image below you can see what the skin of a chameleon looks like up close.

Minette. "Chromataphores." Wikimedia Commons, 24 Nov. 2007. Web. 22 Nov. 2013

(Re)Design
My design is a skintight latex suit that has a transparent top layer that acts like a chameleon's skin. It also has a clear belt with a very tiny camera attached to the side that picks up on your surroundings and changes the color of the suit. The suit covers your whole body except for your eyes making it less likely for you to be spotted. Under the transparent layer is hidden color packets that come out when needed just like a chameleon's design. We can use this design in such places as war or just when we need to be stealthy and hide. I think this design is better than original camouflage because camouflage is mainly forest colors which only give you select places to hide. With my new design you will be able to hide anywhere without being detected. Also the suit is much lighter than wearing camouflage clothes and it will allow you to move quicker. The reason you are able to move quicker is because it has less resistance and less weight than a regular camouflage outfit.

If you look at the collage below you will see that the figure is blending in with the background. That happened because of the camera that picks up on the surroundings and changes the color of the suit.

Citations

"Chromataphores Help Chameleons Change Colors." Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR), 27 Jan. 2005. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.