The combination of dyes with a wide range of natural minerals, such as clathrates (clay) and zeolites (porous rock), are often used to create hybrid materials that interact with light or "chrome" materials.

The team, headed by professors, created a transparent film from an environmentally pure clay mineral and dye. The clay has a layered structure with thin nanometer-sized gaps. In response to humidity, the distance varies, the electrons begin to interact with light and line up different chemical groups, fast changing color.