MIT researchers reveal their latest project, “auto-inflatables,” which explores the design space of self-inflating structures. How do they work? Well, by using chemical reactions as a source of carbon dioxide on-demand, the team was able to induce a wide range of interaction-triggered transformations in their designs, including changes of shape, volume, texture, temperature, color, and movement.
With these techniques, self-contained actuation can be achieved without the need for external hardware to activate material changes, making them great in safety devices (helmets, vests, etc.). The possibilites for these auto-inflatable structures are endless, especially in the medical field where access to materials can be scarce in emergency scenarios.
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