Morphing origami structures with light-responsive polymers

A morphing structure comprising:

• a deployable aerodynamic origami structure comprising an outer covering, the outer covering comprising a plurality of panels with a plurality of creases between adjacent panels such that the deployable aerodynamic origami structure is configured to fold and change from a first shape to a second shape different than the first shape during flight of the deployable aerodynamic origami structure;
• a tether attached to the deployable aerodynamic origami structure;
• and
• a light-responsive polymer disposed on one or more of the creases of the outer covering, the light-responsive polymer configured to change shape when activated by a light such that the deployable aerodynamic origami structure folds and changes from the first shape to the second shape during flight when the light-responsive polymer is activated.

A morphing structure comprising:

• a deployable aerodynamic origami structure comprising an outer covering with a plurality of creases, the outer covering comprising a plurality of panels with a plurality of creases between adjacent panels such that the deployable aerodynamic origami structure is configured to fold and change from a first shape to a second shape different than the first shape during flight of the deployable aerodynamic origami structure;
• a tether attached to the deployable aerodynamic origami structure;
• a light-responsive polymer disposed on one or more of the creases of the outer covering, the light-responsive polymer configured to change shape when activated by a light and the deployable aerodynamic origami structure configured to fold and change from the first shape to the second shape during flight of the deployable aerodynamic origami structure when the light-responsive polymer is activated;
• and
• at least one heating element disposed on one or more of the creases of the outer covering, the at least one heating element configured to heat the light-responsive polymer such that the deployable aerodynamic origami structure moves from the second shape towards the first shape during flight of the deployable aerodynamic origami structure.