Sliceforms: Deployable structures from interlocking slices

A sliceform is a volumetric, honeycomb-like structure assembled from an array of cross-sectional planar slices that are interlocked via pairs of complementary slots placed along each intersection. If the slices are thin, these slotted intersections function as revolute joints, and the sliceform is foldable if the geometry of the embedded spatial linkage permits it, for example a lattice sliceform (LS) is bi-directionally flat-foldable. This thesis concerns a study of such sliceforms toward the design of novel deployable structures. A sliceform torus, composed of two sets of inclined slices arranged at regular intervals about a central axis of symmetry, has been discovered to exhibit a surprising and intriguing folding action whereby its incomplete form can be collapsed to a flat-folded stack of coplanar slices. On deployment, the assembly expands smoothly about an arc until the slices have rotated to their design inclination, then, without reaching any apparent physical limit, abruptly ‘locks out’. With a full complement of slices, the outermost intersections can be interlocked to complete and rigidify the ring. The torus is an example of a rotational sliceform (RS), and analysis of these structures proceeds by noting that their structural geometry comprises an array of pyramidal cells that is commensurate to a spherical scissor grid. The conditions for flat-foldability are determined by examination of the intrinsic geometry of each cell; the incompatibility of the slices with apparent rigid-folding revealed by assessment of the extrinsic motion of the slices. Investigation of their compliant kinematics reveals the articulation to be a bistable transition admitted by small transverse deflections of the slices. This structural form is generalised by development of a technique for generating sliceforms along a smooth spatial curve – curve sliceforms (CS). Their synthesis is more involved than for an RS, but a range of sliceform ‘tubes’ are generated and manufactured. Each example retains the flat-foldable, deployable characteristic of an RS, despite the apparent intrinsic rigidity of each constituent skew cell. Examination of the small-scale models indicates that deployable motion is achieved via imperfect action of the slots, and a simple model of the articulation of a single cell is constructed to investigate how this proceeds, verifying that motion is kinematically admissible via local deformations

Origami structures based on rigidly foldable tessellation patterns

This dissertation details the geometry and kinematics of novel origami tessellation structures designed to possess desirable properties found in commonly studied classical origami tessellations. Research on these novel origami models consists of geometric and kinematic analysis of their crease patterns and partially folded states. Each proposed origami tessellation is flat-foldable and rigidly foldable. Multiple sheets of origami tessellations assemble to form stacked origami structures that are also rigidly foldable. The research conducted in this dissertation produced the following main achievements. First, an investigation into the geometry and kinematics of 4C origami tessellations reveals many different stacked origami structures. The degree-4 single-vertex origami model, 4C, is the simplest unit in any 4C origami tessellation. A composite model called the Double 4C demonstrates the mechanisms that emerge when stacking two flat-foldable 4Cs. A thick-panel version of the Double 4C shows it can accommodate panel thickness. The matrix method determines the kinematics of 4C origami tessellations, which reveals some to be flat-foldable and rigidly foldable. Geometric proofs show that certain 4C origami tessellations are crease-stackable, in which sheets of the origami tessellation can stack along designated sets of creases to form stacked origami structures. Crease stacking, panel stacking, and weaving are three methods to stack 4C origami tessellations, and each method yields a distinct stacked origami structure. Second, the origami claw tessellation, OCT, presents a novel flat-foldable, rigidly foldable, and crease-stackable origami tessellation. By combining 4Cs with 6Cs, called claw units, the OCT possesses multiple DOFs. The matrix method determines the kinematics of the 4Cs and claw units. Geometric proofs show the OCT is crease-stackable by examining the geometry of the 4Cs and claw units. The numerical method computes the exact number of DOFs in the OCT. Stacking sheets of the OCT results in a stacked structure with only one DOF. Families of OCTs are defined as sets of OCTs such that any two in the same family are crease-stackable with each other, resulting in self-locking stacked OCTs. Third, the modular origami horn chain, MOHC, and the modular origami claw chain, MOCC, are proposed. Both are flat-foldable, rigidly foldable, and crease-stackable. These origami tessellations match the shape of a non-intersecting planar curve in a specified partially folded state. A proposed algorithm converts a planar curve into a piecewise-linear curve, which is converted into the crease pattern of a MOHC/MOCC. Stacking these origami tessellations results in the stacked MOHC/MOCC. The concept of families of MOHCs and MOCCs is used to assemble self-locking stacked origami chains. For each of these proposed origami tessellations, physical models are constructed to demonstrate their kinematic properties. CAD software is used to assemble stacked origami structures. The research in this dissertation has the potential to unfold a new generation of origami tessellations and their stacked structures across engineering fields

Fabricate 2014

FABRICATE is an international peer reviewed conference that takes place every three years with a supporting publication on the theme of Digital Fabrication. Discussing the progressive integration of digital design with manufacturing processes, and its impact on design and making in the 21st century, FABRICATE brings together pioneers in design and making within architecture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, materials technology and computation. Discussion on key themes includes: how digital fabrication technologies are enabling new creative and construction opportunities from component to building scales, the difficult gap that exists between digital modelling and its realisation, material performance and manipulation, off-site and on-site construction, interdisciplinary education, economic and sustainable contexts. FABRICATE features cutting-edge built work from both academia and practice, making it a unique event that attracts delegates from all over the worl

Fabricate

Bringing together pioneers in design and making within architecture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, materials technology and computation, Fabricate is a triennial international conference, now in its third year (ICD, University of Stuttgart, April 2017). Each year it produces a supporting publication, to date the only one of its kind specialising in Digital Fabrication. The 2017 edition features 32 illustrated articles on built projects and works in progress from academia and practice, including contributions from leading practices such as Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Arup, and Ron Arad, and from world-renowned institutions including ICD Stuttgart, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton University, The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) and the Architectural Association

Fabricate 2017

Bringing together pioneers in design and making within architecture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, materials technology and computation, Fabricate is a triennial international conference, now in its third year (ICD, University of Stuttgart, April 2017). Each year it produces a supporting publication, to date the only one of its kind specialising in Digital Fabrication. The 2017 edition features 32 illustrated articles on built projects and works in progress from academia and practice, including contributions from leading practices such as Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Arup, and Ron Arad, and from world-renowned institutions including ICD Stuttgart, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton University, The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) and the Architectural Association

The HBP1 tumor suppressor is a negative epigenetic regulator of MYCN driven neuroblastoma through interaction with the PRC2 complex

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