ABSTRACT
Programmable Materials consist of material compositions that are designed to become highly dynamic in form and function, yet they are as cost-effective as traditional materials, easily fabricated, and capable of flat-pack shipping and self-assembly. Programmable Materials attempt to create a broader category of materials that can be programmed to change shape or other property on demand. This category of materials offers unprecedented capabilities, including programmable actuation, sensing and self-transformation, from simple material compositions and fabrication processes. The programmable textiles are created using two different methods. The first consists of a pre-stretched textile with a printed pattern on top which acts as a constraint when the textile is released, causing a 3D transformation. The second method uses an active polymer on top of the textile that expands or shrinks, based on moisture, light, or temperature. Nearly every industry has long desired smarter materials and robotic-like transformation, industries such as apparel, architecture, product design and manufacturing to the aerospace and automotive industries.
