Reconfigurable skin system based on spatially targeted activation of shape memory polymers

A reconfigurable skin apparatus comprising:

• a support structure of deflectable supports defining a plurality of cells through the support structure from a first side of the support structure to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side, each individual cell of the plurality of cells comprising:
• a composite infill at least partially filling the individual cell, the composite infill comprising a shape memory polymer and a plurality of conductive particles dispersed through the shape memory polymer and configured as conductive chains from a first end of the individual cell nearest the first side of the support structure to a second end of the individual nearest the second side of the support structure;
• a first conductive layer at the first end of the individual cell and in electrical communication with the conductive chains;
• a second conductive layer at the second end and in electrical communication with the conductive chains;
• a third conductive layer at the second end and in electrical communication with the first conductive and the second conductive layer through only the conductive chains;
• a first electrode connected to the second conductive layer;
• and
• a second electrode connected to the third conductive layer, wherein when electricity flows from the first electrode to the second electrode through each individual cell, the conductive chains resistively heat the shape memory polymer to induce a shape change in the shape memory polymer;
• a stimulus source in communication with the first electrodes and the second electrodes of the individual cells;
• and
• a control apparatus that sends a stimulus from the stimulus source to selected individual cells to form a reconfigured surface having bumps formed from the first ends of the selected individual cells.

A method of reconfiguring a surface defined by a reconfigurable skin apparatus, wherein the reconfigurable skin apparatus comprises:

• a support structure of deflectable supports defining a plurality of cells through the support structure from a first side of the support structure to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side, each individual cell of the plurality of cells comprising:
• a composite infill at least partially filling the individual cell, the composite infill comprising a shape memory polymer and a plurality of conductive particles dispersed through the shape memory polymer and configured as conductive chains from a first end of the individual cell nearest the first side of the support structure to a second end of the individual nearest the second side of the support structure;
• a first conductive layer at the first end of the individual cell and in electrical communication with the conductive chains;
• a second conductive layer at the second end and in electrical communication with the conductive chains;
• a third conductive layer at the second end and in electrical communication with the first conductive and the second conductive layer through only the conductive chains;
• a first electrode connected to the second conductive layer;
• and
• a second electrode connected to the third conductive layer, wherein when electricity flows from the first electrode to the second electrode through each individual cell, the conductive chains resistively heat the shape memory polymer to induce a shape change in the shape memory polymer;
• a stimulus source in communication with the first electrodes and the second electrodes of the individual cells;
• and
• a control apparatus that sends a stimulus from the stimulus source to selected individual cells to form a reconfigured surface having bumps formed from the first ends of the selected individual cells,
• the method comprising:
• selecting at least one morphing cell from the plurality of individual cells;
• and
• applying a stimulus to the at least one morphing cell to cause the shape memory polymer in the at least one morphing cell to undergo a shape-change transformation.