Design Methodology for Smart Structures with Wrinkle-Induced Shape Transformation

As comprehension of materials’ behaviors under specific conditions advances, the demand for materials capable of altering their shape under given circumstances, referred to as smart structures, has risen due to their ability to provide the multiple functionality. This research endeavors to present a novel design methodology for smart structures that introduce unique surface wrinkles, enabling them to undergo shape transformation in response to external conditions. Our approach focuses on understanding the deformation behavior of structures made from hyperelastic materials with surface wrinkling patterns, like Turing patterns. By optimizing design parameters, we aim to incorporate these wrinkling patterns, obtaining distinctive characteristics of hyperelastic behavior in genetic materials and exploring their influence on the deformation behavior of structures.

In pursuit of our research objective, a specific approach that involves confining the design space and representing it as a collection of repetitive structures, called unit cells. Within this method, the discretized internal space of each unit cell is considered as pixelated space, so that a thorough analysis is performed to explore potential configurations of pixel arrays. The outcome of this analysis enhances understanding of the deformation behavior of pixelated unit cell structures, which subsequently serves as the foundation for generating and validating smart structures made by unit cells.

Through the integration of strategically introduced wrinkle patterns and the meticulous analysis of pixel arrays, our research endeavors to elucidate valuable insights into the intricate behavior of materials and their dynamic responses to external stimuli. This innovative approach holds the promise of encouraging a paradigm shift in the realm of smart structures. By leveraging this approach, considerable improvements in performance, durability, and predictability can be expected, thereby enhancing the efficacy and applicability of materials across a wide array of practical applications.