Kirigami/Origami‐Based Soft Deployable Reflector for Optical Beam Steering. (5th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Wei; Li, Chenzhe; Rodrigue, Hugo; Yuan, Fengpei; Han, Min‐Woo; Cho, Maenghyo; Ahn, Sung‐Hoon
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 27:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-01-05
• Subjects: active reflectors -- optical beam steering -- smart materials -- soft deployable structures -- soft robots; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201604214
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract : The beam steering mechanism has been a key element for various applications ranging from sensing and imaging to solar tracking systems. However, conventional beam steering systems are bulky and complex and present significant challenges for scaling up. This work introduces the use of soft deployable reflectors combining a soft deployable structure with simple kirigami/origami reflective films. This structure can be used as a macroscale beam steering mechanism that is both simple and compact. This work first develops a soft deployable structure that is easily scalable by patterning of soft linear actuators. This soft deployable structure is capable of increasing its height several folds by expanding in a continuous and controllable manner, which can be used as a frame to deform the linearly stretchable kirigami/origami structures integrated into the structure. Experiments on the reflective capability of the reflectors are conducted and show a good fit to the modeling results. The proposed principles for deployment and for beam steering can be used to realize novel active beam steering devices, highlighting the use of soft robotic principles to produce scalable morphing structures. Abstract : Soft deployable reflectors combining a soft deployable structure with simple kirigami/origami reflective films used for dynamic beam steering are presented in this work. This structure can self‐deploy by expanding its height several folds. Origami/kirigami reflectors, essentially mirrors with slits, are placed in hollow pockets of the soft deployable structure whose large deformation changes the reflection angle of the reflectors.