Programming stiff inflatable shells from planar patterned fabrics. Issue 34 (30th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siéfert, Emmanuel; Reyssat, Etienne; Bico, José; Roman, Benoît
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 16:Issue 34(2020)
• Page Start: 7898
• Page End: 7903
• Publication Date: 2020-07-30
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01041c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Origami-inspired design of Gaussian morphing fabrics structures. Superimposed flat and inextensible fabric sheets are heat-sealed along a specific pattern of lines. Upon inflation, this network of tubular cavities deploys into a large, stiff and light shell, with a programmed shape. Abstract : Lack of stiffness often limits thin shape-shifting structures to small scales. The large in-plane transformations required to distort the metrics are indeed commonly achieved by using soft hydrogels or elastomers. We introduce here a versatile single-step method to shape-program stiff inflated structures, opening the door for numerous large scale applications, ranging from space deployable structures to emergency shelters. This technique relies on channel patterns obtained by heat-sealing superimposed flat quasi-inextensible fabric sheets. Inflating channels induces an anisotropic in-plane contraction and thus a possible change of Gaussian curvature. Seam lines, which act as a director field for the in-plane deformation, encode the shape of the deployed structure. We present three patterning methods to quantitatively and analytically program shells with non-Euclidean metrics. In addition to shapes, we describe with scaling laws the mechanical properties of the inflated structures. Large deployed structures can resist their weight, substantially broadening the palette of applications.