Shape Shifter

A new material that’s capable of changing its own size, volume and shape could have dramatic implications for dynamic architecture. Inspired by the ancient technique of origami, the material is made up of individual cells that have 24 sides and 36 edges. Each cell can be folded along any one of its edges to change its shape, and, networked together, the cells can create a variety of structures with a range of elasticities and strengths. Pneumatic actuators embedded into the structure can be programmed to “deform” the structures to attain the desired shape, and the process is completely reversible. The research team has demonstrated the viability of the material by connecting 64 cells into a 4x4x4 cube that can fold completely flat, shrink, grow, or totally change shape.

Potential applications for a material like this are vast, including portable shelters, adaptive facades and retractable roofs. The technology is also totally scalable from the meter-scale level to nano-scale devices, such as surgical implants.