Publications
1.
Chen, Shuyang; Li, Jing; Fang, Lichen; Zhu, Zeyu; Kang, Sung Hoon
Simple Triple-State Polymer Actuators with Controllable Folding Characteristics Journal Article
In: Applied Physics Letters, vol. 110, pp. 133506, 2017.
@article{Chen2017,
title = {Simple Triple-State Polymer Actuators with Controllable Folding Characteristics},
author = {Shuyang Chen and Jing Li and Lichen Fang and Zeyu Zhu and Sung Hoon Kang},
url = {http://aip.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1063/1.4979560},
doi = {10.1063/1.4979560},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-03-30},
journal = {Applied Physics Letters},
volume = {110},
pages = {133506},
abstract = {Driven by the interests in self-folding, there have been studies developing artificial self-folding structures at different length scales based on various polymer actuators that can realize dual-state actuation. However, their unidirectional nature limits the applicability of the actuators for a wide range of multi-state self-folding behaviors. In addition, complex fabrication and programming procedures hinder broad applications of existing polymer actuators. Moreover, few of the exiting polymer actuators are able to show the self-folding behaviors with precise control of curvature and force. To address these issues, we report an easy-to-fabricate triple-state actuator with controllable folding behaviors based on bilayer polymer composites with different glass transition temperatures. Initially, the fabricated actuator is in flat state, and it can sequentially self-fold to angled folding states of opposite directions as it is heated up. Based on an analytical model and measured partial recovery behaviors of polymers, we can accurately control the folding characteristics (curvature and force) for rational design. To demonstrate an application of our triple-state actuator, we have developed a self-folding transformer robot which self-folds from a two-dimensional sheet into a three-dimensional boat-like configuration and transforms from the boat shape to a car shape with the increase of the temperature applied to the actuator. Our findings offer a simple approach to generate multiple configurations from a single system by harnessing behaviors of polymers with rational design.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Driven by the interests in self-folding, there have been studies developing artificial self-folding structures at different length scales based on various polymer actuators that can realize dual-state actuation. However, their unidirectional nature limits the applicability of the actuators for a wide range of multi-state self-folding behaviors. In addition, complex fabrication and programming procedures hinder broad applications of existing polymer actuators. Moreover, few of the exiting polymer actuators are able to show the self-folding behaviors with precise control of curvature and force. To address these issues, we report an easy-to-fabricate triple-state actuator with controllable folding behaviors based on bilayer polymer composites with different glass transition temperatures. Initially, the fabricated actuator is in flat state, and it can sequentially self-fold to angled folding states of opposite directions as it is heated up. Based on an analytical model and measured partial recovery behaviors of polymers, we can accurately control the folding characteristics (curvature and force) for rational design. To demonstrate an application of our triple-state actuator, we have developed a self-folding transformer robot which self-folds from a two-dimensional sheet into a three-dimensional boat-like configuration and transforms from the boat shape to a car shape with the increase of the temperature applied to the actuator. Our findings offer a simple approach to generate multiple configurations from a single system by harnessing behaviors of polymers with rational design.
Note: Send e-mail to Prof. Kang at [email protected] if you need a pdf file of the papers below.
2017

Chen, Shuyang; Li, Jing; Fang, Lichen; Zhu, Zeyu; Kang, Sung Hoon
Simple Triple-State Polymer Actuators with Controllable Folding Characteristics Journal Article
In: Applied Physics Letters, vol. 110, pp. 133506, 2017.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bio-Inspired, mechanics of soft materials and structures, polymer, programmable material, Self-Folding, transformer
@article{Chen2017,
title = {Simple Triple-State Polymer Actuators with Controllable Folding Characteristics},
author = {Shuyang Chen and Jing Li and Lichen Fang and Zeyu Zhu and Sung Hoon Kang},
url = {http://aip.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1063/1.4979560},
doi = {10.1063/1.4979560},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-03-30},
journal = {Applied Physics Letters},
volume = {110},
pages = {133506},
abstract = {Driven by the interests in self-folding, there have been studies developing artificial self-folding structures at different length scales based on various polymer actuators that can realize dual-state actuation. However, their unidirectional nature limits the applicability of the actuators for a wide range of multi-state self-folding behaviors. In addition, complex fabrication and programming procedures hinder broad applications of existing polymer actuators. Moreover, few of the exiting polymer actuators are able to show the self-folding behaviors with precise control of curvature and force. To address these issues, we report an easy-to-fabricate triple-state actuator with controllable folding behaviors based on bilayer polymer composites with different glass transition temperatures. Initially, the fabricated actuator is in flat state, and it can sequentially self-fold to angled folding states of opposite directions as it is heated up. Based on an analytical model and measured partial recovery behaviors of polymers, we can accurately control the folding characteristics (curvature and force) for rational design. To demonstrate an application of our triple-state actuator, we have developed a self-folding transformer robot which self-folds from a two-dimensional sheet into a three-dimensional boat-like configuration and transforms from the boat shape to a car shape with the increase of the temperature applied to the actuator. Our findings offer a simple approach to generate multiple configurations from a single system by harnessing behaviors of polymers with rational design.},
keywords = {Bio-Inspired, mechanics of soft materials and structures, polymer, programmable material, Self-Folding, transformer},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Driven by the interests in self-folding, there have been studies developing artificial self-folding structures at different length scales based on various polymer actuators that can realize dual-state actuation. However, their unidirectional nature limits the applicability of the actuators for a wide range of multi-state self-folding behaviors. In addition, complex fabrication and programming procedures hinder broad applications of existing polymer actuators. Moreover, few of the exiting polymer actuators are able to show the self-folding behaviors with precise control of curvature and force. To address these issues, we report an easy-to-fabricate triple-state actuator with controllable folding behaviors based on bilayer polymer composites with different glass transition temperatures. Initially, the fabricated actuator is in flat state, and it can sequentially self-fold to angled folding states of opposite directions as it is heated up. Based on an analytical model and measured partial recovery behaviors of polymers, we can accurately control the folding characteristics (curvature and force) for rational design. To demonstrate an application of our triple-state actuator, we have developed a self-folding transformer robot which self-folds from a two-dimensional sheet into a three-dimensional boat-like configuration and transforms from the boat shape to a car shape with the increase of the temperature applied to the actuator. Our findings offer a simple approach to generate multiple configurations from a single system by harnessing behaviors of polymers with rational design.