Abstract
The shape transformation of some biological systems inspires scientists to create sophisticated structures at the nano- and macro- scales. However, to be useful in engineering, the mechanics of governing such a spontaneous, parallel and large deformation must be well understood. In this study, a kirigami approach is used to fold a bilayer planar sheet featuring a specific pattern into a buckliball under a certain thermal stimulus. Importantly, this prescribed spherical object can retract into a much smaller sphere due to constructive buckling caused by radially inward displacement. By minimizing the potential strain energy, we obtain a critical temperature, below which the patterned sheet exhibits identical principal curvatures everywhere in the self-folding procedure and above which buckling occurs. The applicability of the theoretical analysis to the self-folding of sheets with a diversity of patterns is verified by the finite element method.
Highlights
The shape transformation of some biological systems inspires scientists to create sophisticated structures at the nano- and macro- scales
This paper focuses on the response of patterned planar sheet to a thermal stimulus, which is more applicable to bionics and medical science than electrical and mechanical stimuli
We propose a kirigami approach to creating highly sophisticated 3D structures via the self-folding of a bilayer patterned planar sheet
Summary
The shape transformation of some biological systems inspires scientists to create sophisticated structures at the nano- and macro- scales. An alternative approach has been developed via the folding planar sheets (panels) with prescribed features, such as ridges and grooves, into sophisticated 3D objects[2] Because these sheets can be quickly fabricated with unprecedented precision using lithographic techniques[3] and the self-folding procedure can spontaneously occur in a parallel manner, this approach is attractive for assembling complex structures efficiently and economically, and it has the potential to overcome fabrication difficulties at small scales[4]. The origami approach has been developed to produce fairly complex structures, such as a flapping bird by folding a sandwich-like sheet along predesigned veins[5], and a periodic structure consisting of extruded cubes, which can be actively deformed into numerous specific shapes through embedded actuation[6] Novel techniques, such as direct ink writing, exhibit attractive features to realize the design rules that are required for an origami-based structure[7]. With 24 circular dimples on a spherical shell, a buckliball can shrink into an enclosed ball-like structure that www.nature.com/scientificreports/
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