WHY? Morphing or shape changing structures can actively change their geometry in order to better adapt to exterior loading or to increase performance.
Nature is full of examples of morphing structures. Unlike a mechanism, which consists of stiff elements joined by kinematic links and actuated by exterior power sources, a morphing structure achieves its shape changing abilities from within, i.e. without the need for an external mechanism.
HOW? The aim is to develop structures that can change shape and can increase their surface area either through external or embedded actuation. The design challenge is that on one hand these structures need to carry loads i.e. must be stiff. Whilst on the other hand, to keep actuation forces reasonable, the structures must be compliant to allow easy deformation. This contradiction cannot be easily resolved with currently available materials.
Deployable structures e.g. rollable, foldable, inflatable and nested structures.
Extreme anisotropic materials e.g. corrugated structures, segmented structures.
Variable stiffness materials e.g. shape memory, flexible matrix composites.
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