A team of engineers at UCLA has created a novel dynamic metamaterial inspired by the mechanics of vintage push puppet toys, with potential applications in soft robotics, reconfigurable structures, and space engineering.
Push puppet toys, which collapse and stand upright by manipulating internal cords, served as the inspiration for this new material. In these toys, pulling cords tightens them, making the toy stiff, while loosening them causes the limbs to collapse. The UCLA researchers applied this principle to develop a metamaterial that can change its shape and stiffness in a controlled manner.
The metamaterial, detailed in a study published in 'Materials Horizons', is constructed from interlocking cone-tipped beads with cords that are either motor-driven or self-actuating. When the cords are tightened, the beads jam together, causing the material to stiffen while maintaining its structural integrity.
The study highlights the metamaterial's versatility, offering several potential applications:
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