Search for: All records

Morphing structures are often engineered with stresses introduced into a flat sheet by leveraging structural anisotropy or compositional heterogeneity. Here, we identify a simple and universal diffusion-based mechanism to enable a transient morphing effect in structures with parametric surface grooves, which can be realized with a single material and fabricated using low-cost manufacturing methods (e.g., stamping, molding, and casting). We demonstrate from quantitative experiments and multiphysics simulations that parametric surface grooving can induce temporary asynchronous swelling or deswelling and can transform flat objects into designed, three-dimensional shapes. By tuning the grooving pattern, we can achieve both zero (e.g., helices) and nonzero (e.g., saddles) Gaussian curvature geometries. This mechanism allows us to demonstrate approaches that could improve the efficiency of certain food manufacturing processes and facilitate the sustainable packaging of food, for instance, by creating morphing pasta that can be flat-packed to reduce the air space in the packaging. 

Abstract New transportation technologies (e.g., electric autonomous vehicles [EAVs]) and operation paradigms (e.g., car sharing) are discussed, researched, and to a small degree also deployed in recent years in response to rising energy crises and aggravating traffic congestions. In this research, we present a station‐based car‐sharing service system that integrates both EAV technologies and car‐sharing operations. Based on the simulation model, a dynamic and time‐continuous optimization model seeking a near‐optimum design of charging station location and EAV deployment is developed. By discretizing the model, we proposed a Monte Carlo simulation model to evaluate the total system cost for a given location and vehicle deployment design. A heuristic approach based on the genetic algorithm is developed to solve the system design of station location and vehicle deployment. A numerical test in Yantai City, China, is conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and to draw managerial insights into how the key parameters affect the system design.