Magnetically Driven Modular Mechanical Metamaterials with High Programmability, Reconfigurability, and Multiple Applications

Abstract

Shape transformation and motion guidance are emerging research hotspots of mechanical metamaterials. In this case, the key issue is how to improve the programmability and reconfigurability of metamaterials. The magnetically driven method enables materials to accomplish remote, fast, and reversible deformation, so it is desired for improving the programmability and reconfigurability of metamaterials. However, conventional magnetically driven materials are often pure elastomer materials. Their magnetic programming method is single, and their overall shape is unchangeable after fabrication, which limits their programmability and reconfigurability. Herein, this article proposes a kind of magnetically driven, programmable, and reconfigurable modular mechanical metamaterial based on origami and kirigami design mechanisms. The motion and deformation were designed to follow the predefined creases and incisions that could be transformed into each other. This metamaterial enabled more discrete motion and force transmission and integrated the fold of origami, the rotation of kirigami, and the fold guided by cuts. Such designs laid the foundation for complex, three-dimensional structures which could be quickly reassembled and constructed to deal with complex situations. This paper also demonstrated applications of this metamaterial in information storage and manifestation, mechanical logic computing, reconfigurable robotics, deployable mechanisms, and so on. The results indicated that the high programmability and reconfigurability expanded the application potential of the metamaterial for broader needs.