Affiliation:
1. State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
3. Institute of Process Equipment, College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Active mechanical metamaterials with customizable structures and deformations, active reversible deformation, dynamically controllable shape-locking performance and stretchability are highly suitable for applications in soft robotics and flexible electronics, yet it is challenging to integrate them due to their mutual conflicts. Here, we introduce a class of phase-transforming mechanical metamaterials (PMMs) that integrate the above properties. Periodically arranging basic actuating units according to the designed pattern configuration and positional relationship, PMMs can customize complex and diverse structures and deformations. Liquid–vapor phase transformation provides active reversible large deformation while a silicone matrix offers stretchability. The contained carbonyl iron powder endows PMMs with dynamically controllable shape-locking performance, thereby achieving magnetically assisted shape locking and energy storing in different working modes. We build a theoretical model and finite element simulation to guide the design process of PMMs, so as to develop a variety of PMMs with different functions suitable for different applications, such as a programmed PMM, reconfigurable antenna, soft lens, soft mechanical memory, biomimetic hand, biomimetic flytrap and self-contained soft gripper. PMMs are applicable to achieve various 2D deformations and 2D-to-3D deformations, and integrate multiple properties, including customizable structures and deformations, active reversible deformation, rapid reversible shape locking, adjustable energy storing and stretchability, which could open a new application avenue in soft robotics and flexible electronics.
Funder
Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China
National Natural Science Foundation of China
China National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Cited by
8 articles.
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