We demonstrate a method for encoding temporal shape evolution in architected shells that assume complex shapes and doubly curved geometries. The shells are non-periodic tessellations of pre-stressed contractile unit cells that soften in water at rates prescribed locally by mesostructure geometry. The ensuing midplane contraction is coupled to the formation of encoded curvatures. We propose an inverse design tool based on a data-driven model for unit cells’ temporal responses. The self-interweaving shape example in this video is the most complex geometry that was realized using our method.

Authors
Ruslan Guseinov, Connor McMahan, Jesús Pérez, Chiara Daraio, and Bernd Bickel.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-14...