Embodied logic and actuation control in soft, stimuli-responsive structures poised near bifurcation points
AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorsJordan R. Raney, Lucia Korpas, Yijie Jiang
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Abstract
Provided are devices and methods that combine material anisotropy with nonlinear structural design to produce structures that precisely and sequentially actuate in response to multiple stimuli, such as water or non-polar solvents. These devices and methods can include bistable anisotropic elements that convert to monostable element upon exposure to a particular stimulus, and anisotropic distortions can be harnessed to change the geometric properties of the element to cross phase boundaries and trigger shape changes at precise times. One can incorporate complex logic into these devices and methods.
Claims25
An environmentally sensitive structure, comprising:
- a bistable element comprising an anisotropic material sensitive to an environmental stimulus,
- at least one portion of the bistable element being in mechanical communication with a support element,
- the bistable element being structured such that exposure of the anisotropic material to the environmental stimulus effects conversion of the bistable element from a bistable shape to a monostable shape, and
- the bistable element having a characteristic dimension that changes with conversion of the bistable element from the bistable shape to the monostable shape upon exposure of the anisotropic material to the environmental stimulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.