Optimal face-to-face coupling for fast self-folding kirigami

TL;DR

This paper investigates how optimizing face-to-face rotational coupling in hierarchical kirigami structures can significantly enhance their self-folding speed and success rate under thermal noise conditions.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of optimizing natural hydrodynamic coupling as a control parameter to improve self-folding performance of kirigami designs.

Findings

Optimized coupling increases folding rate.

Enhanced folding yield with coupling adjustment.

Hydrodynamic resistance influences self-folding dynamics.

Abstract

Kirigami-inspired designs can enable self-folding three-dimensional materials from flat, two-dimensional sheets. Hierarchical designs of connected levels increase the diversity of possible target structures, yet they can lead to longer folding times in the presence of fluctuations. Here, we study the effect of rotational coupling between levels on the self-folding of two-level kirigami designs driven by thermal noise in a fluid. Naturally present due to hydrodynamic resistance, we find that optimization of this coupling as control parameter can significantly improve a structure's self-folding rate and yield.