Patent ID: 7598651
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: A61F,A61M,B64C,H02N,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A meta-material comprising: a deformable or reconfigurable structure adapted to move or deform in a first lateral direction; and a set of activation elements, where each activation element a) mechanically couples to the deformable structure, b) includes a component that participates in an activation mechanism, and c) is configured to change between a first activation state and a second activation state, wherein the meta-material includes a first value for a mechanical property when at least one of the activation elements is in the first activation state and the meta-material includes a second value for the mechanical property when the at least one activation element has been activated to the second activation state, wherein the first activation state permits relative motion in said first lateral direction in the deformable or reconfigurable structure, and wherein the second activation state includes an electrostatic clamp that prevents relative motion in said first lateral direction in the deformable or reconfigurable structure between two activation elements participating in the electrostatic clamp, until an applied external force having a component in said first lateral direction exceeds an opposing friction force caused by an electrostatic force exerted between the two activation elements participating in the electrostatic clamp, said electrostatic force being substantially perpendicular to said first lateral direction.