Shape-transforming Mechanical Metamaterials

一个刚性物体能绕着一个球而不弯曲和拉伸吗？一个平面的薄片能被转化成一个可以承受任何力的三维装置吗？这种3D形状是否可以可逆地熨烫回原始薄片而不损坏？在目前的资料中，我们找不到答案。相比之下，产品可以拉伸和折叠，包装和拆包，以及急剧变化的体积和形状在多种应用中寻求。例如，可展开的太阳能电池板只是其中之一，但其他许多学科和长度尺度都存在，都在追求材料科学和工程的圣杯：“可以在不同配置下变形的材料”。******这个研究项目的愿景是引入下一代材料，极具创新性，因为能够塑造和改变自己，做目前不能做的事情。三个互补的轨道，通过理论，模拟和制造概念验证原型的实验相结合的方法推进，将在未来五年内展开，以产生一流的形状转换材料。独特的特点是它们的建筑，突出的是裂缝和孔隙的模式。这个方案的统一主题是，通过合理地设计它们的几何形状、镶嵌和整体建筑，我们将在单片材料中引出前所未有的功能，使它们能够动态地改变形状，并适当地调整它们的功能以适应环境。这些能力将填补加拿大工业目前未满足的需求，包括能源存储系统、智能窗户、可拉伸电子设备和柔性显示屏、可穿戴设备、家具组装以及用于传感和成像的小型化光学。******推动该项目创新的力量是一个明确的计划，由一群学生在未来五年内团结一致地执行互补和相互关联的轨道。毕业后，这些学生将获得多尺度力学、几何裁剪和建筑材料结构优化方面的前沿知识，以及相关的制造和测试方法。这是加拿大工业界高度寻求的专业知识的融合，目前正在寻求解决长期存在的超灵活性、包装和可重构性问题，以及跨学科追求的无与伦比的功能。在这个项目中培训的HQP将为最终迎来一个材料创新的新时代铺平道路，这将有助于推动加拿大公司的形成，为加拿大带来新的就业机会和经济利润

Can a rigid objet wrap around a ball without bending and stretching? Can a flat sheet be transformed into a three-dimensional device that can take any force applied to it? And can this 3D shape be reversibly ironed back to the original sheet without damage? In current materials, we find no answer. In contrast, products that can stretch and fold, pack and unpack, as well as change drastically volume and shape are sought in a manifold of applications. Deployable solar panels, for example, are just one of them, but many others exist across disciplines and length scale, all chasing the Holy Grail of material science and engineering: “materials that can shape-transform to work in diverse configurations”. ******The vision of this research program is to introduce the next generation of materials, extremely innovative because capable to shape transform themselves and do what current ones cannot. Three complementary tracks, propelled through a combined approach of theory, simulations and experiments on fabricated proof-of-concept prototypes, will unfold in the next five years to generate first-class shape transforming materials. The distinctive trait is their architecture, which stands out as patterns of slits and pores. The unified motif of this program is that by rationally designing their geometry, tessellation and overall architecture, we will elicit unprecedented functionalities in monolithic materials, enabling them to dynamically transform their shape, and properly tune their function to adapt to the environment. These capabilities will fill unmet demands currently existing in the Canadian industry producing energy storage systems, smart windows, stretchable electronics and flexible display screens, wearable devices, furniture assembly, and miniaturized optics for sensing and imaging.******The empowering force that will drive this program to innovation is a well-defined plan with complementary and interrelated tracks carried out by a pool of students joining forces cohesively in the next five years. Upon graduation, these students will have received cutting-edge know-how in multiscale mechanics, geometry tailoring, and structural optimization of architected materials, along with the relevant means to fabricate and test them. This is a blend of expertise that it is highly sought in the Canadian industry currently looking to solve long-standing problems of superflexibility, packing and reconfigurability, unmatched functionalities chased across discipline. The HQP trained in this program will pave the way to and ultimately usher in a new era of material innovation that will contribute to propel the formation of Canadian companies, with new jobs and economic profits for Canada.**