Our research aims to understand and control the mechanics of shape-shifting structures—i.e. those that undergo large deformations and instabilities—to create more adaptive, resilient, and life-like designs for the built environment. Thus, our research spans from fundamental mechanics of shape-shifting structures, including mechanical metamaterials, kirigami, and origami, to applied designs that regulate air flow, sunlight, and other environmental factors. Achieving these applications requires integrating principles of e.g. fluid-structure interactions, material behavior, and thermodynamics.
Fundamental mechanics of shape-shifting structures, including mechanical metamaterials, kirigami, and origami.
Environmental stimuli (heat, water) combine with materials, geometry, and constraints to drive controlled snap-through.
In curved-crease origami, folding leads to panel bending—potentially producing stiffer, tunable structures with fewer folds.
Uncovering geometry- and mechanics-based guidelines for inducing instabilities in efficient and controllable ways.
We have studied how geometry dictates buckling patterns in plates and shells as they are confined.
Shape-shifting structures that regulate air flow, sunlight, and other environmental factors.
Kirigami, or “cutting paper,” offers a retrofitting solution that can offer adaptive ventilation, while providing shade, and be actuated at the meter scale.
The Swarm Garden lies at the intersection between mechanics, swarm robotics, architecture, and art.
Reconfigurable kirigami-based structures for acoustic wave steering.