These sheets of plastic film may look seemingly innocuous, but increase the temperature around them and they transform into beautiful and elaborate origami models before your very eyes.
Developed by scientists in China, they are made using a 'shape memory polymer' that can morph into different temporary shapes without using a mould.
This supermaterial shifts its shape in a way that is reminiscent of the T-1000 in the Terminator films and its inventors believe it could be used to make complex shapes, or form part of medical devices and implants.
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Scientists have invented a 'shape memory polymer' that can morph into different temporary shapes without using a mould and revert to previous ones by memory. One of the shapes tested is shown above. It is built from a large number of similar units bonded together, such as plastic, which can revert to previous shapes
The material was created by scientists at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou China.
It is built from a large number of similar units bonded together, such as plastic, which can revert to previous shapes.
Most polymers can’t be altered after being moulded, but the new one - made of a carbon crosslinked polymer composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) – can be changed because its permanent shape isn’t defined by an original mould.
This is the first time a polymer has been developed with so-called 'shape memory' built into its molecular structure.
And in a series of videos, the team, led by Qian Zhao, has shown its polymer can be altered numerous times, without using a mould.
This is the first time a polymer has been developed with so-called 'shape memory' built into its molecular structure. These images show how the shape memory polymer can be manipulated to take on different shapes. For example, it can be rolled up before being unfurled to a permanent flat shape (shown top)
At temperatures below 70ºC (158ºF) the material (pictured) is elastic, meaning it is temporarily changed in shape, but when heated, it reverts to a previous shape. If the polymer is heated above 130ºC (266ºF) the 'memory' itself can be changed
Writing in the journal Science Advances, the researchers said: 'By exploring the cumulative nature of the plasticity, we demonstrate easy manipulation of highly complex shapes that is otherwise extremely challenging.'
For example, it can be folded like origami into a bird, only to be transformed into further folded shapes such as a boat, or windmill, for example.
This is because at temperatures below 70ºC (158ºF) the material is elastic, meaning it is temporarily changed in shape, but when heated, it reverts to a previous shape.
If the polymer is heated above 130ºC (266ºF) the 'memory' itself can be changed, Gizmodo reports.
Tests suggest the polymer also doesn't show signs of fatigue which could lead shapes to snap. A shows how the polymer can be heated to take on different shapes before returning to an 'original' origami model, while B shows the same qualities in Ssmart kirigami structures - those that are folded and cut
By heating and cooling, experts can make multiple changes to the material's shape and effectively 'save' them like a computer file, which they can then 'access' again. One of the transitional shapes - on the way to becoming a windmill - is shown above
This means experts can make multiple changes to the material's shape and effectively 'save' them like a computer file, which they can then 'access' again.
Tests suggest the polymer also doesn't show signs of fatigue which could lead shapes to snap, for example.
The researchers believe their polymer could be used for complex shapes that can't be created with conventional moulds.
These could be especially useful for applications where unusual shapes are needed, such as medical devices or in the production of aeroplanes.
As the team explained: 'The dynamic shape-changing behaviour paves a new way for fabricating geometrically complex multifunctional devices.'
This supermaterial shifts its shape in a way that is reminiscent of the T-1000 in the Terminator films (pictured) and its inventors believe it could be used to make complex shapes, or form part of complex medical devices and implants
The researchers believe their polymer could also be used for complex shapes that can't be created with conventional moulds. These could be especially useful for applications where unusual shapes are needed, such as medical devices or in the production of aeroplanes
THE 'ORIGAMI' WITH SHAPE-SHIFTING WHEELS
In the summer of 2014, the art of folding paper to create 3D shapes was used to make a flexible robot.
Roboticists from Seoul National University, South Korea, showed off designs of origami-inspired wheel systems that allow a robot to shape-shift and climb a flight of steps using their intricate but strong wheels.
Roboticists from Seoul National University, South Korea, showed off designs of origami-inspired wheel systems that allow a robot to shape-shift and climb a flight of steps using their intricate but strong wheels
The robotic wheel is based on the ‘magic ball pattern,’ which is a traditional technique used to create folded paper spheres.
The wheel can change its radius to create larger wheels to climb over things, and shrink back to a smaller size to squeeze under obstacles, IEEE Spectrum reported from its International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
The wheel's lead creator, Professor Kyu-Jin Cho explained that his design can shrink to have a radius of two inches (5.5cm), and expand to have a bigger footprint of four inches (12cm), using just one actuator per wheel.
There are also sensors placed on the outside of each wheel to detect changes in terrain.
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