Hydro‐Gated Photonic Actuators With Programmable Color and Shape

Structural color actuators integrating visual readout with motion are prized for biomimicry, yet typically operate in a coupled, color-gradient mode with limited freedom. Here we report a photonic liquid crystal network that decouples these responses via a scattering-gated mechanism. The material hides its structural color in the dry state but, upon water uptake, simultaneously switches on vivid coloration and executes programmable three-dimensional deformation. Crucially, we achieve stimulus-selective control: ethanol turns on color without motion, while heat induces motion without color. This independent, on-demand manipulation of optical and mechanical outputs offers a transformative platform for multi-responsive soft robotics, adaptive camouflage, and smart displays.