Behind the Paper

Morphing hand

By tweaking the mesh geometry of or morphing structure, we can fine-tune its mechanical and thermal properties, allowing the morphing structure to return to its original shape after deformation and control how and when that happens.

Published in Materials

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Jan-Henning Dirks and Raman
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Explore the Research

Nature
Nature Nature

A starfish-inspired 4D self-healing morphing structure - Scientific Reports

Scientific Reports - A starfish-inspired 4D self-healing morphing structure

The internal thermoplastic mesh softens when heated above its glass transition temperature, allowing the structure to change shape. Once cooled, the mesh hardenes again and thus locks the structure into place without needing any external energy to maintain the new posture. The elastomer jacket plays a crucial role, protecting the mesh and controlling deformation while maintaining the structure's overall dimensions during the shape change.

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Contributors

Author

Go to the profile of Jan-Henning Dirks

Jan-Henning Dirks

Professor, Hochschule Bremen - City University of Applied Sciences

Contributing author

Go to the profile of Raman

Raman (He/Him)

Researcher, -

Multiple Contributors
Jan-Henning Dirks and Raman

Contributors

Author

Go to the profile of Jan-Henning Dirks

Jan-Henning Dirks

Professor, Hochschule Bremen - City University of Applied Sciences

Contributing author

Go to the profile of Raman

Raman (He/Him)

Researcher, -

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Bioinspired Materials
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Soft Materials > Bioinspired Materials

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