Origami-inspired material can change size, volume, shape
Based on an origami technique
called snapology, the cube-shaped structure can be folded along its edges to
change shape. It can go flat when stepped on by an elephant, and return to its
original shape once released.
Imagine a house that could
fit in a backI pack or a wall that could become a win dow with the flick of a
switch. Harvard researchers say it may be possible.
Scientists at the top US
university have designed a new type of foldable material that is versatile,
tunable and self actuated.
The material can change
size, volume and shape and can fold flat to withstand the weight of an elephant
without breaking, and pop right back up to prepare for the next task,
scientists said.
“We have designed a
three-dimensional, thin-walled structure that can be used to make foldable and
reprogrammable objects of arbitrary architecture, whose shape, volume and
stiffness can be dramatically altered and continuously tuned and controlled,“
said Johannes T B Overvelde from Harvard University.
The structure is inspired
by an origami technique called snapology, and is made from extruded cubes with
24 faces and 36 edges. Like origami, the cube can be folded along its edges to
change shape.
Researchers demonstrated,
both theoretically and experimentally, that the cube can be deformed into many
different shapes by folding certain edges, which act like hinges.They embedded
pneumatic actuators into the structure, which can be programmed to deform specific
hinges, changing the cube's shape and size, and removing the need for ex ternal
input.
Researchers connected 64 of
these individual cells to create a 4x4x4 cube that can grow, and shrink, change
its shape globally, change the orientation of its microstructure and fold
completely flat.
As the structure changes
shape, it also changes stiffness, meaning one could make a material that is
very pliable or very stiff using the same design.These actuated changes in
material properties adds a fourth dimension to the material.
“We not only understand how
the material deforms, but also have an actuation approach that harnesses this
understanding. We know exactly what we need to actuate in order to get the
shape we want,“ said Katia Bertoldi from Harvard University. The material can
be embedded with any kind of actuator, including thermal, dielectric or even
water, researchers said.
“The opportunities to move
all of the control systems onboard combined with new actuation systems already
being developed for similar origami-like structures really opens up the design
space for these easily deployable transformable structures,“ said James Weaver
from Harvard University.
“This structural system has
fascinating implications for dynamic architecture including portable shelters,
adaptive building facades and retractable roofs,“ added Chuck Hoberman from
Harvard University.
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