Elastomer Bistable Jumper for Soft Robotics

Multistability, characterized by the presence of multiple stable equilibrium states, has recently emerged as a versatile foundation for designing a broad spectrum of intelligent structures. These structures encompass shape-reconfigurable architectures, entirely elastic and recyclable metamaterials capable of storing energy, soft aquatic robots equipped with preprogrammed directional propulsion, and aerospace-grade deployable solar panels. Within the scope of our project, we concentrate on bistable spherical caps and delineate specific geometric configurations that give rise to an energy barrier surmountable upon impact, thereby creating opportunities for jumping behavior. Our methodology involves the fabrication of diverse shell variations, a comprehensive assessment of their nonlinear responses when subjected to indentation, and rigorous testing to validate their capability for jumping upon contact with a rigid surface.