Metamorphs: Bistable Planar Structures

TL;DR

This paper introduces a computational design method for creating planar structures that can morph into and hold two different stable forms, enabling programmable bistability through optimized internal support structures.

Contribution

It presents a novel iterative nonlinear optimization approach to design bistable planar structures with guaranteed stability in both forms.

Findings

Successfully designed bistable structures that can morph and hold two forms

The method ensures first and second-order stability

Supports fabrication of complex morphing structures

Abstract

Extreme deformation can drastically morph a structure from one structural form into another. Programming such deformation properties into the structure is often challenging and in many cases an impossible task. The morphed forms do not hold and usually relapse to the original form, where the structure is in its lowest energy state. For example, a stick, when bent, resists its bent form and tends to go back to its initial straight form, where it holds the least amount of potential energy. In this project, we present a computational design method which can create fabricable planar structure that can morph into two different bistable forms. Once the user provides the initial desired forms, the method automatically creates support structures (internal springs), such that, the structure can not only morph, but also hold the respective forms under external force application. We achieve this through an iterative nonlinear optimization strategy for shaping the potential energy of the structure in the two forms simultaneously. Our approach guarantees first and second-order stability with respect to the potential energy of the bistable structure.