Materials that adapt dynamically to environmental changes are
currently limited to two-state switching of single properties,
and only a small number of strategies that may lead to
materials with continuously adjustable characteristics have
been reported1–3
. Here we introduce adaptive surfaces made
of a liquid film supported by a nanoporous elastic substrate.
As the substrate deforms, the liquid flows within the pores,
causing the smooth and defect-free surface to roughen through
a continuous range of topographies. We show that a graded
mechanical stimulus can be directly translated into finely
tuned, dynamic adjustments of optical transparency and
wettability. In particular, we demonstrate simultaneous control
of the film’s transparency and its ability to continuously
manipulate various low-surface-tension droplets from freesliding to pinned. This strategy should make possible the
rational design of tunable, multifunctional adaptive materials
for a broad range of applications.