Push puppet toys have long been a source of entertainment for children and adults alike, with their unique ability to move or collapse with the push of a button. However, a team of innovative engineers at UCLA has taken inspiration from these traditional toys to create a new class of dynamic material with exciting applications in various fields.
The key to the movement of push puppet toys lies in the connecting cords inside them. When these cords are pulled taut, the toy stands stiff; but when they are loosened, the limbs of the toy go limp. Mimicking this principle, researchers have developed a new type of metamaterial that can be controlled by cord tension, offering a wide range of possibilities in soft robotics, reconfigurable architectures, and space engineering.
Published in Materials Horizons, the study showcases a lightweight metamaterial equipped with motor-driven or self-actuating cords threaded through interlocking cone-tipped beads. When these cords are activated and pulled tight, the bead particles jam and straighten into a line, causing the material to turn stiff while maintaining its overall structure. The tension in the cords can be adjusted to “tune” the stiffness of the structure, allowing for flexibility and strength at the same time.
One of the significant advantages of this metamaterial is its ability to collapse and stiffen repeatedly, making it ideal for long-lasting designs that require frequent movements. Additionally, the material offers ease in transportation and storage when in its limp state, showcasing its adaptability and practicality in various scenarios. After deployment, the material becomes over 35 times stiffer and experiences a 50% change in its damping capability, highlighting its versatility and tunability.
The applications of this innovative metamaterial are vast and promising. From self-deployable soft robots that can adjust their stiffness for different terrains to compact shock absorbers with programmable damping capabilities for vehicles, the possibilities are endless. The metamaterial could also be designed to self-actuate, offering new capabilities in robotics, reconfigurable structures, and space engineering.
The researchers at UCLA are excited about the potential for further exploration and customization of this metamaterial. By altering the size and shape of the beads and adjusting how they are connected, new capabilities and functionalities can be unlocked. The mechanical intelligence embedded in this material opens up new possibilities for building advanced robots and devices with enhanced performance and adaptability.
The development of this tunable dynamic material inspired by push puppet toys marks a significant advancement in the field of metamaterials. With its unique properties and versatile applications, this material has the potential to revolutionize soft robotics, reconfigurable structures, and space engineering. The innovative work done by the UCLA engineering team paves the way for future breakthroughs and exciting developments in the world of technology.