EFRI-ODISSEI: Synthesizing Ccomplex Structures from Programmable Self-Folding Active Materials

这项研究与创新前沿（EFRI）自组装系统工程创新集成折纸设计（ODISSEI）奖的研究目标是发现从可编程、自折叠的2D元素合成复杂3D结构的新技术。元件将大规模可折叠，这意味着折叠特性和位置将具有近乎无限的变化，而不仅仅局限于预先设计的折叠或关节。这将通过提供驱动能力的主动形状记忆层的结合而成为可能。将通过指定局部折叠操作的位置和顺序对元素进行编程。多个元素将连接起来，形成更大、更复杂的3D结构。研究团队将为(a)多尺度和多学科系统分析和优化创造新的理论和方法；(b)活性材料建模和结构分析；(c)设计综合的计算折叠算法；(d)几何建模、可视化和美术；(e)基于仿生折叠的设计合成方法。交付成果包括自折叠材料元件的仿真模型，验证仿真模型的实验研究，以及整体综合框架的演示。如果成功，这项研究的结果将构成工程技术和知识的重大飞跃，使工程师能够以全新的方式设计复杂系统。对材料元件进行编程以不同方式折叠、展开和再折叠的能力将对国家需求的几个领域产生长期影响，包括太空任务、可持续性和国防方面的重大挑战。研究成果将广泛传播。研究生和本科生将受益于课堂教学和直接参与研究。来自6至12年级的弱势学生将通过与国家仪器公司合作组织的机器人竞赛学习科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）主题。研究团队将与佐治亚州亚特兰大的木偶戏艺术中心合作，制作以折纸为主题的STEM课程，每年将有超过1万名小学学龄儿童参加。该项目由空军科学研究办公室提供部分资金支持。

The research objective of this Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) Origami Design for the Integration of Self-assembling Systems for Engineering Innovation (ODISSEI) award is to discover new techniques for synthesizing complex 3D structures from programmable, self-folding 2D elements. Elements will be massively foldable, meaning fold characteristics and locations will be of near-infinite variety and not limited to pre-engineered folds or joints. This will be made possible by the incorporation of active shape memory layers that provide actuation capabilities. Elements will be programmed by specifying the locations and sequences of localized folding operations. Multiple elements will connect to form larger and more complex 3D structures. The research team will create new theories and methods for (a) multi-scale and multidisciplinary systems analysis and optimization; (b) active materials modeling and structural analyses; (c) computational folding algorithms for design synthesis; (d) geometric modeling, visualization, and fine art; and (e) bio-inspired folding-based design synthesis methods. Deliverables include simulation models of the self-folding material elements, experimental studies validating the simulation models, and a demonstration of the overall synthesis framework.If successful, the results of this research will constitute a substantial leap forward in engineering technology and knowledge, allowing engineers to design complex systems in fundamentally new ways. The capability to program a material element to fold, un-fold, and re-fold in different ways will have a long-term impact on several areas of national need, including significant challenges in space missions, sustainability, and defense. Research results will be disseminated broadly. Graduate and undergraduate engineering students will benefit through classroom instruction and direct involvement in the research. Underrepresented students from the 6th-12th grade levels will learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topics through a robotics competition organized in partnership with National Instruments. In partnership with the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA, the research team will produce origami-themed lessons about STEM subjects that will reach over 10,000 elementary-age school children annually.This project is supported in part by funds from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.