Multimonomer regulation-based high strength, high modulus, high toughness shape memory polyimide and Kresling origami structures

In order to save space and reduce launch costs in aerospace engineering, flexible and deployable intelligent materials have been developed. To this end, we have synthesized high-performance shape memory polyimide blends (SMPIs) which were obtained by a precursor blending-imine cyclization method and developed Kresling origami structures. Mechanical performance tests indicated that the SMPI had high strength, high modulus, and high toughness, and molecular dynamics simulation revealed the molecular mechanisms. Remarkably, the tensile strength could reach 87 %–262 % of alufer, 25 %–75 % of steel, 25 %–66 % of ceramic, and the elongation at break could reach 2 times that of alufer, 7 times that of steel and 14 times that of ceramics. The shape memory test results showed that it fully recovered to the original shape under 22 s of thermal field actuation, the shape fixation ratio was 98.7 % and the shape recovery ratio was 97.9 %. Subsequently, we designed the Kresling origami structure, demonstrating the foldability of SMPI and the energy absorption properties of the origami structure with finite element simulation. This allows the origami structure to effectively absorb and disperse energy when subjected to impact or compression, protecting the structure and its objects from damage. In the future, it can be applied to flexible and deployable space capsules.