Transparency-Photothermal Efficiency Coordinated Dual-Invisible Soft Robots

Soft robots capable of seamless environmental integration and unobtrusive operation are essential for covert monitoring, camouflage, and preserving optical integrity. Near-infrared (NIR) photo-actuation offers an ideal route for invisible control; however, it is traditionally governed by a fundamental trade-off where strong photo-responses necessitate dark materials and high filler loadings that compromise transparency. Here, we report a system achieving spectral decoupling of visible transparency and photothermal responsiveness through interfacial engineering of two-dimensional atomically thin CuS (AT–CuS) nanosheets to form a stable monolayer dispersion in the polymer matrix. Such material reaches a record-breaking photothermal efficiency of 96.3% in the NIR-II window. At an ultralow loading of 0.01 wt % At-CuS, the composite maintains over 80% visible-light transmittance while exhibiting rapid NIR responses (>130°C within 2 s). We further demonstrate “dual-invisible” soft robots with imperceptible bodies and hidden NIR control, where the body and the NIR control signal remain imperceptible, performing agile amphibious locomotion.