These chameleons ought to get a lawyer
before someone comes suing them for what they have been doing for millions of years!
Boffinry listicle MADNESS: ONE THING you need to know about CHAMELEONS
An inter-disciplinary team of scientists from the University of Geneva has figured out how chameleons manage to exhibit their complex and rapid colour changes by using the crystals in their skin. "Ever since their description by Aristotle, chameleons have populated myths and legends," says the team of Swiss boffins, evidently …
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Wednesday 11th March 2015 15:44 GMT frank ly
The deeper you look
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chameleon
"Some species, such as Smith's dwarf chameleon, adjust their colors for camouflage in accordance with the vision of the specific predator species (bird or snake) by which they are being threatened."
How do they do that??
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Wednesday 11th March 2015 19:11 GMT Grikath
Re: The deeper you look
Given that chameleons don't display what we class as "conscious decisions" the response is hardwired, like in many animals displaying "proper evasive measures" from birth.
As for the selection mechanism... the predator recognition wiring predates the clour change, so starting from a random colour variation under predation-stress, the selection pressure for getting the right colour scheme would be immense. After all, the ones that got the lucky right guess would be far less likely to be Lunch... Under such strong selective pressure, it would only take a couple of generations to have all [species x] display the same behaviour under a given kind of stress. The rest simply get eaten before they can breed. Of course, having multiple predators would complicate things a bit, but ultimately it would only add to the number of generations needed to have the majority of [creature x] display the "correct" behaviour in avoiding predation.
With maturity at 6 months to a year, and a lifespan of 5-8 years for chameleons, you're looking at a couple of decades to have the "new model" be the norm, rather than the exception. A mere mayflies' wingbeat in evolutionary terms.
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Wednesday 11th March 2015 16:18 GMT cray74
Re: What would be nice
"Is how can we copy this to at least have some bright colour on an eInk type low power display without a backlight."
There are some existing technologies that might accomplish this, though they're not getting market traction:
Mirasol has the idea of using movable, microscopic mirrors in tiny cavities to produce a color, reflective display. [Refs. 1, 2]
Electrowetting is another technique using movable drops of oil of different colors under development by Liquavista [Refs. 3, 4].
References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interferometric_modulator_display
2. https://www.qualcomm.com/products/mirasol
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrowetting
4. http://www.liquavista.com/technology/
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Saturday 14th March 2015 18:47 GMT Mage
Re: What would be nice: mirasol
I looked at it for a project years ago.
Mirasol seems to have a problem (though it might be Qualcom Royalties is the issue). Where are the products apart from a proof of concept watch and an early prototype tablet display?
If only it was Samsung, Sony, LG, Sharp etc and not Qualcomm
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Wednesday 11th March 2015 19:53 GMT Steve Davies 3
Re: The last straw
at least they don't move very fast. A slow moving camo chameleon shouldn't be too hard to spot.
I saw one of Madagascar's smallest Chameleon's change colour from a dull brown to dark green in just a few seconds as it moved from a path onto grass. The little beast was just about 2in long. Pure magic.
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Wednesday 11th March 2015 23:11 GMT David Pollard
"reflect a substantial proportion of the infrared"
For a while I've been wondering about how to improve the efficiency of wood-burning stoves that a couple of friends have installed; much of the radiant heat goes into the outside wall at the back. If someone can work out how to make chameleon wallpaper that withstands moderate temperatures this would fit the bill very nicely.
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Thursday 12th March 2015 11:13 GMT cray74
Re: "reflect a substantial proportion of the infrared"
"For a while I've been wondering about how to improve the efficiency of wood-burning stoves that a couple of friends have installed; much of the radiant heat goes into the outside wall at the back. "
Without details of the stove's installation (free standing? in-wall fireplace?), some ideas that may be useless:
1) you could insulate the wall behind the stove
2) Add a heat reflective surface like a sheet of aluminum behind the stove
3) Add one of those fireplace heat exchangers
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/F/AE_fireplace_heater_system.html
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Friday 13th March 2015 13:36 GMT David Pollard
Re: "reflect a substantial proportion of the infrared"
It has to look good and be easy to fit and clean. I had wondered about using Pilkington's IR-reflective glass but that would be difficult to fit; especially as the stoves are already in place. A few layers of aluminium foil, crinkled to make airgaps and hidden behind the back, seems the best solution so far.
Chameleon wallpaper would be neat because it would turn red as it began to reflect, thus adding to perceived warmth.
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Biting the hand that feeds IT
