Flectofold, Bioinspired Kinetic Shading Device - itke

Within in the framework of the Collaborative Research Center SFB-TRR 141: Biological Design and Integrative Structures we developed the first prototype for the Flectofold, a compliant mechanism to fold and unfold glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) panels. The kinetic mechanism is extracted from the underwater carnivorous plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa which uses curved-line folding to propagate bending deformation of a stiffer middle rib into two lobes, symmetrical connected with living hinges.
The research is supported by the German research directory DFG.