Smart nested origami-inspired detachable modular structures with tunable stiffness for multiphysics reconfiguration

This study presents innovative architected metastructures that integrate nested origami with traditional lattice structures, addressing the limitations of fixed geometry and functionality in conventional lattice designs. Lattice structures exhibit high performance and lightweight design, enabling precise control of macroscopic physical properties through well-defined unit cell topologies. However, their post-manufacturing geometry and functionality are typically fixed, limiting adaptability in dynamic environments. The proposed novel metastructures achieve secondary expansion functions, termed “One-Double,” through modular design and reconfigurable mechanisms. The structures' reconfigurability, detachable modularity, and tunable mechanical properties mimic the “metamorphosis” observed in biological systems, where organisms undergo significant morphological transformations. Building upon this, we propose three coupling-based reversible reconfiguration methods to enable dynamic geometry switching between different unit configurations. Experimental, theoretical, and simulation results demonstrate that these metastructures, due to their multifunctionality, show strong adaptability for satellite antennas and can guide fluid flow through reconfiguration, optimizing flow paths. This design approach paves the way for achieving complex multifunctionality across various domains, with significant potential for applications in dynamic adaptation, intelligent responsiveness, and functional integration.