Document Type

Patent

Publication Date

April 2013

Patent Number

8424265

Abstract

Shape-shifting surfaces that retain their effectiveness as physical barriers while undergoing changes in shape. The shape changes include any motion that makes the surface more effective at performing its function, such as expansion, shrinkage, twisting, encircling, wiggling, swallowing or constricting. The shape-shifting surfaces include tiled arrays of polygonal cells, each cell including specifically-designed compliant flexures attached to specifically-shaped overlapping thin plates or shells. Applications for such surfaces include micro-scale cellular engineering and macro-scale biomedical applications, recreational uses, national security, and environmental protection.

Application Number

13/302,606

Assignees

University of South Florida

Filing Date

11/22/2011

Primary/U.S. Class

52/46

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