Patent ID: 7901524

Claim:
A deformable apparatus having a transformable state of stiffness, the deformable apparatus comprising: a variable stiffness material (VSM) structure having a first shape and comprising: a plurality of constant stiffness material layers; and a plurality of variable modulus material layers arranged in alternating layers with the plurality of constant stiffness material layers, the plurality of variable modulus material layers comprising a material having a changeable elastic modulus in response to a trigger to allow reversible coupling and decoupling of stress transfer between successive layers of the plurality of constant stiffness material layers to provide a change in the transformable state of stiffness of the VSM structure; and one or more actuation elements controlled to deform the VSM structure from the first shape to a second shape by providing actuation, upon transformation of the structure from a first state of stiffness to a second state of stiffness while maintaining the first shape, the second state having a lower degree of stiffness than the first state, wherein the one or more actuation elements are controlled to provide deformation within the VSM structure to result in a change in shape of the deformable apparatus while the VSM structure is in the second state of stiffness, and wherein the VSM structure is adapted to transform back from the second state of stiffness to the first state of stiffness while maintaining the second shape.