Selectively rigidizable membrane

A selectively rigidizable membrane for cargo management, comprising:

• a vacuum bladder, the vacuum bladder including a first airtight layer and a second airtight layer, the first and second airtight layers being sealed to one another along a perimeter, the first and second architectural layers being positioned between the first and second airtight layers within the perimeter;
• first and second architectural layers positioned between the first and second airtight layers within the perimeter of the vacuum bladder, each of the first and second architectural layers including a plurality of tiles interconnected by flexural elements, each of the tiles of the first and second architectural layers including at least one constraining element extending therefrom;
• a tertiary layer positioned between the first and second architectural layers, the tertiary layer adapted to aid sliding movement of the first and second architectural layers relative to one another when negative pressure is not applied to the vacuum bladder;
• and
• a port adapted to allow pressure to be applied to the interior of the vacuum bladder;
• wherein, when atmospheric pressure is present within the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are slidably moveable relative to one another and the membrane is flexible, and when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are forced into engagement with one another, the constraining elements of the first and second architectural layers providing mechanical interference and preventing sliding movement of the first and second architectural layers relative to one another, causing the membrane to become substantially rigid, the rigidity of the membrane being selectively variable depending on the level of negative pressure applied to the interior of the vacuum bladder.