Baromorphs - Dynamically controlled bio-inspired shape-morphing

We introduce a new pneumatic system based on meso-structured elastomer plates that undergo fast, reversible and controllable shape-morphing. These baromorph plates include a network of airways whose geometry is controlled during the casting of a single material. Upon inflation or suction, initially planar sheets destabilize into 3D shapes with non-zero Gaussian curvature. Air pressure in the channels induces anisotropic strains which leads to variations in the metric of the plate and triggers buckling. The coupling of pressure driven pneumatic networks with mechanical instabilities of plates is used to design structures with programmed 3D shapes. Each object can be easily controlled dynamically. Combined experimental measurements and theoretical minimal model allow us to rationalize, predict and program the pressure dependent shapes obtained.