Fig. 1: Encoding spatial and temporal shape evolution in a flat shell mesostructure. | Nature Communications

Fig. 1: Encoding spatial and temporal shape evolution in a flat shell mesostructure.

From: Programming temporal morphing of self-actuated shells

Fig. 1

a A user-specified target surface and actuation time landscape (a field of deformation completion times) are inputs to an inverse design procedure that defines the mesostructure of flat-fabricated shells that morph into the target geometries. The shells are composed of inhomogeneous tessellations of unit cells with an interior pre-stretched membrane. b Each unit cell has an initial central length l. Brackets control actuation time through their softening rate, which is controlled by their thickness, h, and a set of bumpers prescribe final local curvatures upon collision. c Morphing of a petalled structure with an actuation time landscape ensuring that larger petals cover their smaller neighbors avoiding collisions on the way. Simulation and experiments are compared at 3, 30, 50, and 80 seconds in water. The structure replicates the encoded actuation time landscape shown in (a). Scale bars, 3 cm.

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