US 12,435,707 B2
Embodied logic and actuation control in soft, stimuli-responsive structures poised near bifurcation points
Jordan R. Raney, Glenside, PA (US); Lucia Korpas, Philadelphia, PA (US); and Yijie Jiang, Corinth, TX (US)
Assigned to The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (US)
Appl. No. 17/040,237
Filed by THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia, PA (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 2, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/025356
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 22, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/195266, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 10, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/651,884, filed on Apr. 3, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0363976 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. F03G 7/00 (2006.01); B29C 64/118 (2017.01); B29K 33/00 (2006.01); B29K 83/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/00 (2006.01); B29K 309/08 (2006.01); B29K 401/00 (2006.01); B32B 3/26 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); C08K 7/14 (2006.01); C09D 183/04 (2006.01); H10N 30/20 (2023.01)
CPC F03G 7/008 (2021.08) [B32B 3/266 (2013.01); C09D 183/04 (2013.01); B29C 64/118 (2017.08); B29K 2033/26 (2013.01); B29K 2083/00 (2013.01); B29K 2105/0061 (2013.01); B29K 2309/08 (2013.01); B29K 2401/00 (2013.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); C08K 7/14 (2013.01); F03G 7/029 (2021.08); H10N 30/204 (2023.02)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An environmentally sensitive structure, comprising:
a bistable element comprising an anisotropic material sensitive to an environmental stimulus,
at least one portion of the bistable element being in mechanical communication with a support element,
the bistable element being structured such that exposure of the anisotropic material to the environmental stimulus effects conversion of the bistable element from a bistable shape to a monostable shape, and
the bistable element having a characteristic dimension that changes with conversion of the bistable element from the bistable shape to the monostable shape upon exposure of the anisotropic material to the environmental stimulus.