The morphing bi-stable glass fiber–reinforced polymer laminates actuated by embedded electrothermal alloy.

This article develops and proves the concept of morphing bi-stable glass fiber–reinforced polymer laminates using electrothermal alloys to trigger the snap-through from one stable configuration to another. The presented concept considers an alternative to existing morphing bi-stable concepts wherein actuators are used to elastically actuate bi-stable laminates to snap between stable configurations. These existing concepts are restricted to some bi-stable laminates with certain layups and sizes. For the concept discussed here, the electrothermal alloys are embedded in the laminates and are used as internal heating sources. Morphing can be achieved by heating and subsequently cooling the local region of the laminate, and no energy is needed to maintain the deformation. One-way and a two-way morphing bi-stable laminates are designed and manufactured. The finite element simulation is performed to predict the thermally induced morphing process. The experimental morphing process is compared with the simulated process, and good agreement between experiments and predictions is found. The basic principle of this morphing bi-stable structure is discussed. Based on the same principle, more different forms of morphing bi-stable structures can be designed and manufactured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]