Theoretical stiffness limits of 4D printed self-folding metamaterials

Abstract

The 3D stiffness of a self-folded metamaterial structure is limited by the low stiffness required by the folding process. Here, the stiffness limits of self-folding bilayers are theoretically established by a nonlinear model and experimentally validated on polymer-metal composites, providing the optimal combinations of geometrical and mechanical properties of folded constructs.