Reconfigurable Flexible Electronics Driven by Origami Magnetic Membranes

Deformation of flexible electronics can lead to reconfigurable electrical properties, controllable deployment, and tunable working modes, but approaches to actuate flexible electronics are quite limited. A promising method involves using magnetic fields to yield simple displacement of magnetic membranes. However, realization of complex multiaxial bending and rotations of magnetic membranes remains challenging. Here, flexible origami magnetic membranes with programmable magnetic polarities are used to generate complex spatial deformation through coupling with an external magnetic field and interaction among intrinsic magnetism. The membranes can work as standalone flexible actuators and serve as substrates to trigger spontaneous deformation of the carrying flexible devices such as antennas, energy harvesters, and light-emitting diode arrays. The membranes can travel on a dry surface or in a liquid environment. They also exhibit the capability to reversibly capture and release objects traveling at 326 mm s(-1). Flexible devices on the membranes can offer tunable gains and frequencies as well as novel folding and releasing mechanisms determined by the complex magnetic polarities of the underneath membranes. The origami magnetic membranes can be combined to yield more complicate patterns and magnetic polarities, leading to innovative applications in surgical robots, tunable antennas, and various reconfigurable flexible electronics.

Automated summary

A method using programmable magnetic origami membranes to generate complex deformations for flexible actuators and triggering spontaneous deformations of carrying devices has been studied. These membranes have the ability to operate in different environments, capture and release objects, and offer tunable frequencies and gains.