Reconfigurable modular origami for tunable 2D symmetry groups.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Symmetry is crucial for physical properties in fields like electromagnetics and optics.
• Current methods for altering symmetry often require refabrication or reassembly.
• Tunable symmetry is desired for achieving multiple functionalities in physical systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel method for reconfiguring symmetry in metastructures.
• To achieve all 17 Euclidean plane space groups using modular components.
• To demonstrate a simple and reversible tuning mechanism for symmetry configurations.

Main Methods:

• Inspired by modular origami, developed single-degree-of-freedom (DOF) reconfigurable modules.
• Utilized inherent kinematic bifurcation for rich symmetry configurations.
• Employed a binary pressurization strategy for air pouches to reversibly tune symmetry.

Main Results:

• Achieved all 17 space groups in the Euclidean plane using only two sets of module tessellations.
• Demonstrated reversible tuning of symmetry configurations via air pouch pressurization.
• Established selection rules for multipole quasibound states in the continuum by tuning symmetry groups in metasurfaces.

Conclusions:

• The proposed modular approach enables programmable reconfigurable metastructures with tunable symmetry.
• This work offers a promising pathway for designing multifunctional materials with dynamic symmetry properties.
• The developed system provides a simple yet effective method for on-demand symmetry manipulation.