Flexible deformable sheet structure

Many technologies, established or emerging, rely on soft and highly deformable structures, more particularly thin sheets, barriers or interfaces, with adaptable and programmable shape. These include deployable structures used in medicine (stents) or space (antennas, solar arrays or sails, etc), which possess ultra-low weight, compact stowage, and which can be remotely assembled into a precise shape. As a matter of fact, the design of devices and structures with adaptable shape is greatly simplified if the shape-morphing principle is embodied in the material that defines the thin sheet. By drawing inspiration from the micro-architecture of the euglenoid pellicle, the research group proposes a new principle to achieve shape-adaptable and programmable thin shells. Specifically, the material architecture they propose consists of a plurality of flexible rod elements closely arranged parallel to each other and free of undergoing relative sliding at their junctions. They are looking for collaborations with industries in aerospace and aviation - environment and construction - architecture and design - healthcare and biomedical sectors. Envisaged collaborations are within financial, joint venture and licence agreements.