Morphing structures using soft polymers for active deployment

作者：Daynes Stephen^*; Grisdale Amy; Seddon Annela; Trask Richard

来源：Smart Materials and Structures, 2014, 23(1): 012001.

DOI：10.1088/0964-1726/23/1/012001

• adaptive camouflage
• multistability
• elastomeric origami
• composites
• elastic strain
• stiffness tailoring

In this study, we take inspiration from morphing strategies observed in nature, origami design and stiffness tailoring principles in engineering, to develop a thin walled, low cost, bistable cell geometry capable of reversibly unfolding from a flat configuration to a highly textured configuration. Finite element analysis was used to model the cell deployment and capture the experimentally observed bistability of the reinforced silicone elastomer. Through the combination of flexible elastomers with locally reinforced regions enables a highly tailorable and controllable deployment response. These cells are bistable allowing them to maintain their shape when either deployed or retracted without sustained actuation. It is proposed that such deployable cells with reversible surfaces and texture change can be used as a means of adaptive camouflage.

• 出版日期2014-1