When it comes to creating surfaces, it's a simple task to either make ones that are smooth or ones that are bumpy. But now researchers at MIT have created one that can be both. The 3D-printed surface they have created can be either smooth, bumpy, ridged, or channeled and can dynamically change texture through the application of pressure.

Mutable surface textures are important in controlling unwanted animals growing on ship hulls, channeling microscale amounts of fluids, creating camouflage, and optics. And importantly, the surfaces created by the MIT team were produced using a 3D printer, potentially allowing easy dissemination and creativity with the technique.