Spectral imaging method for studying Physarum polycephalum growth on polyaniline surface

• Physarum's networks were characterized by non-invasive method.
• Physarum polycephalum induces changes in the electrochromic properties of polyaniline.
• It is possible to use Physarum for patterning polyaniline substrates, thus creating conductive networks.
• The accuracy of the spectrophotometer scanner allows distinguishing minimal color variation at a micrometric distance.

The features of spectrophotometric scanner, generally exploited in the artwork field, are here considered in a non-conventional context to characterize the networks created by Physarum polycephalum slime mold during its motion on glass substrates covered with polyaniline: a polymer that varies its color and conductive properties according to the redox state. The used technique allowed the investigation of the effects coming out from the interaction between P. polycephalum and polyaniline. Thus, the contactless method of the analysis of polyaniline conductivity state resulted from the slime mold metabolism was suggested. Indeed, it is here demonstrated that P. polycephalum can modify properties of polyaniline due to its internal activity in contact zones.