Mechanisms and Algorithms for Shape Morphing and Self-Sealing Programmable Materials

Programmable Materials are a novel research field in materials science and engineering, as their inner structure represents the instantiation of algorithms, thus enhancing them to have functionalities and abilities instead of just physical properties. Programmable Materials facilitate molecular and mesoscopic meta materials’ mechanisms to interact with the environment e.g. react on thermal or mechanical inputs. Here, inspiration can be drawn from biological systems, which evolved to incorporate complex physical computing abilities, allowing them to adapt to changing environments, self-repair, and train or lean from external stimuli. In this talk the scientific opportunities enabled by Programmable Materials, their inner workings and possible design tools shall be discussed. The focus will be on the meta material unit cell designs and their concerted interaction, as well as the achievable functionalities. Examples of adaptive stiffness, damping and shape morphing will be shown as well as complex processes to implement e.g. self sealing. The related challenges and possible applications shall be discussed.