The field of soft robotics and smart structures is making rapid progress, particularly through the development of self-folding structures. These structures that can change their shape in response to thermal stimuli, making them extremely versatile for various applications. In particular, sequentially self-folding structures demonstrate the ability to transform into complex shapes in a controlled manner. This offers significant potential for areas such as deployable biomedical devices, space structures and self-assembling robots.
This project aims to design and fully 3D-print a self-folding structure using electrothermal actuators in a single process. By using advanced 3D printing techniques and precise control of the electrothermal actuators, this research will create a programmable structure that can fold and unfold sequentially.

Contact: Janko Slavič

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