Flow-induced deformations of Kagome kirigami patterns

Kirigami, a technique inspired by the Japanese art of paper cutting, is emerging as an efficient method to produce highly deformable sheets with programmable mechanical properties that are determined by the cutting pattern. Upon loading, the sheet extends bi-axially through the opening of its slits, effectively acting as a poroelastic membrane in fluid flow. In this experimental study, we explore the influence of the cutting parameters on the three-dimensional deformation of a sheet with triangular rotating facets (Kagome) immersed in a flow. The cutting pattern dictates both the elastic resistance to deformation of the membrane and the fluid loading, which is dependent on the pore geometry and local degree of opening. Through this study on uniform kirigami patterns, we aim to identify the design rules to then produce targeted deformations in flow by spatially varying the cut motif.