We look at a mechanical metamaterial whose stiffness does not scale inversely proportional to its length. We perform tensile tests to study the relation between the length and the stiffness of the...Show moreWe look at a mechanical metamaterial whose stiffness does not scale inversely proportional to its length. We perform tensile tests to study the relation between the length and the stiffness of the metamaterial. We find two regimes for the stiffness, which are separated by a characteristic length. We explain the cause of this length and show that we can alter its value. Lastly we set up a model that simulates the behavior of the metamaterial in tension and can reproduce the experimental data.Show less
This work explores the design, synthesis and actuation of temperature sensitive hydrogel-elastomer bilayers. Following previous research we created a protocol to graft poly-N-isopropylacrylamide ...Show moreThis work explores the design, synthesis and actuation of temperature sensitive hydrogel-elastomer bilayers. Following previous research we created a protocol to graft poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) on top of a rubber substrate. These bilayers can be bent by changing the temperature of the system using a heat bath. Novel bilayers are designed where a mechanical instability is introduced. None of the designed instabilities are triggered during actuation, instead the bilayers bend in a different direction.Show less
Metamaterials exhibit exotic properties derived from their geometric structures. A procedure has recently been developed to build reconfigurable structures from convex polyhedra. While initally...Show moreMetamaterials exhibit exotic properties derived from their geometric structures. A procedure has recently been developed to build reconfigurable structures from convex polyhedra. While initally characterized as rigid, we found that some of these structures possess multiple stable configurations. In the present study we develop numerical tools to simulate all possible deformations that can be applied to these structures, mapping the corresponding energy landscape. We use the simulation to identify the additional stable configurations and study their dependence on key physical parameters. Based on the results found, we explain the mechanism behind the observed multistability and suggest its validity as fundamental ingredient for a general designing rule. Finally, we explore the possibility of implementing our results into the development of a reconfigurable, multistable and multifunctional 3D material.Show less
