Smart helical structures inspired by the pellicle of euglenids

TitleSmart helical structures inspired by the pellicle of euglenids
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsNoselli G, Arroyo M, DeSimone A
JournalJournal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids
Volume123
Pagination234-246
KeywordsBio-inspired structures, Euglenoid pellicle, Helical bundles, Morphing structures, Reconfigurable structures
Abstract

This paper deals with a concept for a reconfigurable structure bio-inspired by the cell wall architecture of euglenids, a family of unicellular protists, and based on the relative sliding of adjacent strips. Uniform sliding turns a cylinder resulting from the assembly of straight and parallel strips into a cylinder of smaller height and larger radius, in which the strips are deformed into a family of parallel helices. We examine the mechanics of this cylindrical assembly, in which the interlocking strips are allowed to slide freely at their junctions, and compute the external forces (axial force and axial torque at the two ends, or pressure on the lateral surface) necessary to drive and control the shape changes of the composite structure. Despite the simplicity of the structure, we find a remarkably complex mechanical behaviour that can be tuned by the spontaneous curvature or twist of the strips. 

DOI10.1016/j.jmps.2018.09.036