Innovative Transforming Lantern Design

In the world of metamaterials, engineering creativity meets advanced technology to create astonishing innovations. One such innovation is the design of a shape-shifting lantern that can transform between different forms using stored elastic energy. Developed by a team of researchers at North Carolina State University, this lantern is a remarkable example of how innovative engineering can achieve new functionalities in materials.

Transforming Lantern Design

The team began by designing the lantern from a thin polymer sheet cut into a diamond-shaped parallelogram. They then sliced a series of parallel lines through the center of the sheet, forming parallel strips connected by rigid material strips at the top and bottom. When the ends of these top and bottom strips are connected, the sheet naturally folds into a circular lantern shape.

This basic shape is bistable, meaning it has two stable forms. The first is the traditional lantern shape, and the second resembles a spinning top, accessible when the lantern is compressed from above. In this form, the energy used in compression is stored, and when the lantern is pulled, the energy is rapidly released, returning it to the lantern shape.

Multiple Shapes and Versatile Potentials

The researchers found that the lantern could assume many additional shapes by twisting or bending the rigid strips at the top or bottom. Each of these multiple shapes has its own stability, and some can transition between more than two stable forms. One of the shapes has four stable states, varying based on the pressure or twist applied to the lantern.

This diversity in shapes offers broad potential for using the lantern in various applications, such as mechanical metamaterial designs and robotics.

Magnetic Control and Practical Applications

The researchers also added magnetic control to the lanterns by attaching a thin magnetic film to the bottom strip, allowing them to remotely control the lantern using a magnetic field. Through this control, they demonstrated multiple uses, such as a magnetic gripper that can catch and release fish without harm, a flow control filter that opens and closes underwater, and a compact form that suddenly extends to reopen a collapsed tube.

These applications are just the beginning of exploring other possibilities for the lantern in various fields.

Mathematical Model and Behavior Understanding

To facilitate understanding of the lantern’s behavior and its ability to transform between shapes, the team created a mathematical model that illustrates how geometry affects the final shape and the amount of elastic energy stored in each stable configuration. This model enables researchers to program the desired shape, its stability, and its strength when releasing stored energy.

This model is an important tool for designing shapes capable of performing specific applications efficiently and accurately.

Conclusion

The transforming lantern is an excellent example of how engineering and advanced materials can be used to develop innovative solutions in technology and robotics. By controlling its shape and stability, this lantern can perform complex and efficient functions, opening new horizons in metamaterial and robotic design. With continued research and development, we can expect a bright future for this technology in diverse applications.