A three-dimensional actuated origami-inspired transformable metamaterial with multiple degrees of freedom

Johannes T.B. Overvelde, Twan A. de Jong, Yanina Shevchenko, Sergio A. Becerra, George M. Whitesides, James C. Weaver (), Chuck Hoberman () and Katia Bertoldi ()
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Johannes T.B. Overvelde: John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Twan A. de Jong: John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Yanina Shevchenko: Harvard University
Sergio A. Becerra: John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
George M. Whitesides: Harvard University
James C. Weaver: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University
Chuck Hoberman: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University
Katia Bertoldi: John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Reconfigurable devices, whose shape can be drastically altered, are central to expandable shelters, deployable space structures, reversible encapsulation systems and medical tools and robots. All these applications require structures whose shape can be actively controlled, both for deployment and to conform to the surrounding environment. While most current reconfigurable designs are application specific, here we present a mechanical metamaterial with tunable shape, volume and stiffness. Our approach exploits a simple modular origami-like design consisting of rigid faces and hinges, which are connected to form a periodic structure consisting of extruded cubes. We show both analytically and experimentally that the transformable metamaterial has three degrees of freedom, which can be actively deformed into numerous specific shapes through embedded actuation. The proposed metamaterial can be used to realize transformable structures with arbitrary architectures, highlighting a robust strategy for the design of reconfigurable devices over a wide range of length scales.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10929

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