Gaussian-preserved, non-volatile shape morphing in three-dimensional microstructures for dual-functional electronic devices

Ziao Tian,Guangchao Wan,Borui Xu,Zengfeng Di,Xiaomin Han,Zi Chen,Yongfeng Mei

doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20843-4

Abstract

Motile plant structures such as Mimosa pudica leaves, Impatiens glandulifera seedpods, and Dionaea muscipula leaves exhibit fast nastic movements in a few seconds or less. This motion is stimuli-independent mechanical movement following theorema egregium rules. Artificial analogs of tropistic motion in plants are exemplified by shape-morphing systems, which are characterized by high functional robustness and resilience for creating 3D structures. However, all shape-morphing systems developed so far rely exclusively on continuous external stimuli and result in slow response. Here, we report a Gaussian-preserved shape-morphing system to realize ultrafast shape morphing and non-volatile reconfiguration. Relying on the Gaussian-preserved rules, the transformation can be triggered by mechanical or thermal stimuli within a microsecond. Moreover, as localized energy minima are encountered during shape morphing, non-volatile configuration is preserved by geometrically enhanced rigidity. Using this system, we demonstrate a suite of electronic devices that are reconfigurable, and therefore, expand functional diversification.

Highlights

Motile plant structures such as Mimosa pudica leaves, Impatiens glandulifera seedpods, and Dionaea muscipula leaves exhibit fast nastic movements in a few seconds or less
Like tropistic motion, all of the shape movements in these systems developed so far rely exclusively on external stimuli, and result in a slow response compared to the nastic model
In summary, Gaussian-preserved shape morphing is the perfect route to markedly increase maneuverability and enrich the design space of microstructures. These microstructures, such as “twoarmed gripper” and “flapping bird”, can be precisely tuned and preserved by tailoring the 2D precursor’s geometry relying on Gaussian-preserved principle regardless of the constituent materials and the length scale. This concept can be applied in microelectronics to expand the functional diversification of electronic devices, with morphable 3D structures in multistable states

Summary

Introduction

Motile plant structures such as Mimosa pudica leaves, Impatiens glandulifera seedpods, and Dionaea muscipula leaves exhibit fast nastic movements in a few seconds or less This motion is stimuli-independent mechanical movement following theorema egregium rules. We apply a Gaussian-preserved mechanism to dynamically morph nanomembranes, referred to as Gaussianpreserved shape-morphing system, for inducing fast, non-volatile, reconfigurable, and reversible structural transformation In this system, some degree of stretching is locally involved in the nanomembranes by introducing a folding crease, which allows the nanomembranes to morph non-isometrically. The Gaussian-preserved shape morphing enhances structural stability and creates an energy barrier leading to a non-volatile reconfiguration We apply this system to microelectronics areas for solving the challenge of the diversity of applications. Diverse dual-functional electronic devices, such as switch, actuator, and antenna on the microscale, are fabricated to fulfill functional diversification, opening a new route to “More-than-Moore”

Methods

Results

Conclusion