Coupling Effects in Re-Programmable Micro-Matter

该提议提出了新颖的可重新编程的微物质，其从平面形状可逆地自折叠成三维（3D）形状，保持形状而不消耗功率，并且根据需要自折叠成可重新编程的替代3D形状。在第一个资助期内，我们证明了使用合作形状记忆合金（SMA）铰链微致动器和微系统工程在mm长度尺度上可重新编程物质的可行性。第二阶段的目标是（1）最大可逆折叠角度的实质性改进，这在很大程度上取决于对抗性SMA铰链微致动器的设计，（2）微制造技术的扩展，以暂时固定3D形状而不消耗功率，以及（3）进一步升级和小型化。该项目将功能聚合物材料的互补能力捆绑在一起，同时考虑到3D打印技术（UFr）、形状记忆材料和微系统工程（KIT）以及系统仿真（FAU）的高潜力。将开发新型级联和SMA微铰链设计，以将可逆折叠角度范围提高到180°。为了暂时固定3D形状，将考虑四种情况，包括分别通过磁力和固液转变的热激活切换的主动锁定和保持，以及磁性锁定和聚合物基粘附的被动机制。协同作用和有害的耦合效应将被调查的集成密度和瓷砖的数量不断增加，以制定最佳系统性能的设计规则。

This proposal addresses novel re-programmable micro-matter, which self-folds reversibly from a flat shape to a three-dimensional (3D) shape, keeps the shape without power consumption and self-folds on demand into a re-programmable alternative 3D shape. During the first funding period, we demonstrated the feasibility of re-programmable matter at the mm length scale using cooperative shape memory alloy (SMA) hinge microactuators and microsystems engineering. Goals of the second phase are (1) a substantial improvement of the maximum reversible folding angles, which strongly depend on the design of antagonistic SMA hinge microactuators, (2) the extension of microfabrication technology to temporarily fix the 3D shape without power consumption and (3) further upscaling and miniaturization. The project bundles the complementary competences of functional polymer materials taking account for the high potential of 3D printing technology (UFr), shape memory materials and microsystems engineering (KIT) as well as system simulation (FAU). Novel designs of cascaded and bistable SMA microhinges will be developed to enhance the range of reversible folding angles up to 180°. To temporarily fix the 3D shape, four scenarios will be considered comprising active latching and holding by heat-activated switching of magnetic forces and solid-liquid transition, respectively, as well as the passive mechanisms of magnetic latching and polymer-based sticking. The synergies and detrimental coupling effects will be investigated for an increasing integration density and number of tiles to elaborate design rules for optimum system performance.