# 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.

## Key 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.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1906.00386