Nano-Origami

Nano-origami Shape Memory Hydrogels

Team Members: Andrea Exil

Primary Goals: Design and fabricate unique metamaterials with architectures based on the waterbomb origami structure. Hydrogels exhibiting shape memory through reversible cross-links that are sensitive to stimuli and switch between two stable configurations upon the application or release of a compressive force. 

Broader Impacts: Successful replication of this behavior would enable us to use this technology in stimuli-triggered actuation, drug delivery, and production of membranes with variable permeability.