Smart material control system and related method

A system for controlling the movement of an adaptive structure comprising:

• an adaptive structure having first and second smart material layers, and a conductive substrate layer, wherein said first and second smart material layers are arranged such that polarities of said first and second smart material layers are opposing;
• a charge projector for projecting charges onto said first layer of said adaptive structure;
• and
• a variable voltage/charge source for selectively varying the potential of said conductive substrate layer of said adaptive structure,
• whereby the displacement and/or curvature of said adaptive structure is dependent upon the placement of said charges and the potential of said conductive substrate layer of said adaptive structure.

A method of controlling an adaptive structure bonded to a conductive substrate layer having a potential/charge comprising the steps of:

• projecting charges onto a first smart material layer of said adaptive structure, said adaptive structure having first and second smart material layers arranged such that polarities of said first and second smart material layers are opposing;
• selectively varying the potential/charge of said conductive substrate layer;
• and
• wherein the displacement and/or curvature of said adaptive structure is dependent upon both the placement of said projected charges and the potential/charge on said conductive substrate layer.