An interdisciplinary research team, succeeded in producing a bio-inspired, fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) with innovative, integrated actuators. Cost-effective, lightweight cushions are embedded already during the manufacturing process in locally defined compliant hinge zones. Due to the asymmetric layer structure of the FRP, filling the cavity (cushion) creates a closing folding movement. The reverse movement occurs as within the biological model – insect wings – due to the stored energy. Mechanical joints are no longer needed and material usage as well as number of sensitive parts prone to failure is reduced significantly. This allows the development of sustainable, low-maintenance, adaptive systems with high design potential.
Project partners:
ITKE, ITFT (University of Stuttgart), Institut für Evolution und Ökologie (University of Tübingen) and DITF.
