We discuss self-folding of a thin sheet by using patterned hydrogel bilayers, which act as hinges connecting flat faces. Folding is actuated by heterogeneous swelling due to different crosslinking densities of the polymer network in the two layers. Our analysis is based on a dimensionally reduced plate model, obtained by applying a recently developed theory [1], which provides us with an explicit connection between (three-dimensional) material properties and the curvatures induced at the hinges. This connection offers a recipe for the fabrication and design of the bilayers, by providing the values of the cross-linking density of each layer that need to be imprinted during polymerization in order to produce a desired folded shape upon swelling.

Foldable structures made of hydrogel bilayers / Agostiniani, Virginia; De Simone, Antonio; Lucantonio, Alessandro; Lucic, Danka. - In: MATHEMATICS IN ENGINEERING. - ISSN 2640-3501. - 1:1(2018), pp. 204-223. [10.3934/Mine.2018.1.204]

Foldable structures made of hydrogel bilayers

Virginia Agostiniani;Antonio De Simone;Alessandro Lucantonio;Danka Lučić
2018-01-01

Abstract

We discuss self-folding of a thin sheet by using patterned hydrogel bilayers, which act as hinges connecting flat faces. Folding is actuated by heterogeneous swelling due to different crosslinking densities of the polymer network in the two layers. Our analysis is based on a dimensionally reduced plate model, obtained by applying a recently developed theory [1], which provides us with an explicit connection between (three-dimensional) material properties and the curvatures induced at the hinges. This connection offers a recipe for the fabrication and design of the bilayers, by providing the values of the cross-linking density of each layer that need to be imprinted during polymerization in order to produce a desired folded shape upon swelling.
2018
1
1
204
223
Agostiniani, Virginia; De Simone, Antonio; Lucantonio, Alessandro; Lucic, Danka
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11767/86197
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