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Fractal Mechanical Structures

How can we wrap a 3d object with a sheet of paper without folds? Wrapping implies the ability to stretch as much as bend.  Using concepts from fractal geometry, we have designed and realized a new class of materials with unprecedented control of stretchability and bendability to conformally wrap any shape or expand to nearly any predetermined shapes.

 

Fractal cut sheets for controlled expansion

Fractal cut sheets for controlled expansion

Fractal cut sheets expand to any shape
Fractal cut sheets expand to any shape

Fractal cut sheets for conformable wrapping
Fractal cut sheets for conformable wrapping