Oscillating membranes: modeling and controlling autonomous shape-transforming sheets

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel self-oscillating gel sheet that mimics biological shape changes, modeled with non-Euclidean elasticity and controllable via light, advancing autonomous soft machine development.

Contribution

First experimental realization of a self-oscillating gel sheet with programmable internal signaling for autonomous shape transformation.

Findings

Internal signaling drives lifelike shape changes.

Material response accurately modeled with non-Euclidean elasticity.

Shape transformations can be controlled with light.

Abstract

Living organisms have mastered the dynamic control of internal stresses to perform an array of functions, such as change shape and locomote. State-of-the-art attempts to replicate this ability in synthetic materials are rudimentary in comparison. Here we present the first experimental realization of a self-oscillating gel in a thin sheet configuration. We show that internal signaling produces stresses that drive lifelike shape changes, that the material's response is accurately modelled with the theory of non-Euclidean elasticity and that the internal signaling can be programmed with light. Together, our results demonstrate a complete route for developing fully autonomous soft machines.