Reconfigurable soft matter.

This special issue focuses on so, recongurable materials. A distinctive feature of these systems is their ability to sense and respond to external stimuli or changes in the environment by readjusting their morphology, chemistry and/ or functionality. Examples abound in biology since this adaptive behaviour is vital for survival. Consider, for example, the ability of the mimic octopus and cuttlesh to change their colour and texture and thus, camouage their identity to evade their predators. The ability of plants to bend or unravel their leaves in the presence of sunlight is another example of adaptive behavior in biology that is crucial for survival. Herein, we highlight research focused on imbuing synthetic materials with analogous abilities to undergo remarkable reconguration that leads to changes in materials properties and performance. Advances in this area could enable new multi-functional systems, which display one structure and function in one environment but display another shape, surface property and function under different conditions with applications in robotics, self-assembly, actuated materials, stimuli sensing, controlled