By

Principal investigator
Christopher Bowman

Funding
National Science Foundation (NSF)

Collaboration + support
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Shape shifting materialHow can a square peg fit into a round hole? Pretty easily, thanks to a new shape-shifting material developed by CU ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ engineers.Μύ

Researchers in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering used liquid crystal elastomersβ€”the same technology underlying modern television displaysβ€”to develop a surface capable of programmable two-way transformations. By using heat and particular wavelengths of light, the researchers can make the material fold and unfold on command.Μύ

β€œThe ability to form materials that can repeatedly oscillate back and forth between two independent shapes by exposing them to light will open up a wide range of new applications and approaches to areas such as additive manufacturing, robotics and biomaterials,” said Distinguished Professor Christopher Bowman.

Researchers holding shape shifting material