Watch this human-produced 'heart' beat in mesmerizing color

Scientists are bringing the magic of the animal kingdom to the world of technology.

Researchers have created a material that can change colors just like a chameleon, Science reported. In a study published in the journal Science Robotics on Wednesday, researchers used a combination of a special gel and heart muscle cells from rats to mimic the way that chameleon skin absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects others. The gel is designed to have "a network of tiny pores" that allows only certain colors to appear, Science explained. With each "beat" of the heart muscles, the gel's structure changes on a microscopic level, causing different colors to be reflected by the substance.

This material could be used to test new medications, Science News reported: Because the color changes are synced to the beat of the heart cells, testing medications that change heart rate could have proof in stunning color. As scientists continue to experiment with the substance, it could even be used to build robots with the ability to camouflage themselves to blend into their environment, just like a chameleon.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Watch the mesmerizing gel in action below, or read more at Science. Shivani Ishwar

Watch a gel embedded with heart cells change color with every beat - YouTube

Watch On