element14 Community
element14 Community
    Register Log In
  • Site
  • Search
  • Log In Register
  • Community Hub
    Community Hub
    • What's New on element14
    • Feedback and Support
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Personal Blogs
    • Members Area
    • Achievement Levels
  • Learn
    Learn
    • Ask an Expert
    • eBooks
    • element14 presents
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Spotlight
    • STEM Academy
    • Webinars, Training and Events
    • Learning Groups
  • Technologies
    Technologies
    • 3D Printing
    • FPGA
    • Industrial Automation
    • Internet of Things
    • Power & Energy
    • Sensors
    • Technology Groups
  • Challenges & Projects
    Challenges & Projects
    • Design Challenges
    • element14 presents Projects
    • Project14
    • Arduino Projects
    • Raspberry Pi Projects
    • Project Groups
  • Products
    Products
    • Arduino
    • Avnet & Tria Boards Community
    • Dev Tools
    • Manufacturers
    • Multicomp Pro
    • Product Groups
    • Raspberry Pi
    • RoadTests & Reviews
  • About Us
  • Store
    Store
    • Visit Your Store
    • Choose another store...
      • Europe
      •  Austria (German)
      •  Belgium (Dutch, French)
      •  Bulgaria (Bulgarian)
      •  Czech Republic (Czech)
      •  Denmark (Danish)
      •  Estonia (Estonian)
      •  Finland (Finnish)
      •  France (French)
      •  Germany (German)
      •  Hungary (Hungarian)
      •  Ireland
      •  Israel
      •  Italy (Italian)
      •  Latvia (Latvian)
      •  
      •  Lithuania (Lithuanian)
      •  Netherlands (Dutch)
      •  Norway (Norwegian)
      •  Poland (Polish)
      •  Portugal (Portuguese)
      •  Romania (Romanian)
      •  Russia (Russian)
      •  Slovakia (Slovak)
      •  Slovenia (Slovenian)
      •  Spain (Spanish)
      •  Sweden (Swedish)
      •  Switzerland(German, French)
      •  Turkey (Turkish)
      •  United Kingdom
      • Asia Pacific
      •  Australia
      •  China
      •  Hong Kong
      •  India
      •  Korea (Korean)
      •  Malaysia
      •  New Zealand
      •  Philippines
      •  Singapore
      •  Taiwan
      •  Thailand (Thai)
      • Americas
      •  Brazil (Portuguese)
      •  Canada
      •  Mexico (Spanish)
      •  United States
      Can't find the country/region you're looking for? Visit our export site or find a local distributor.
  • Translate
  • Profile
  • Settings
Robotics
  • Technologies
  • More
Robotics
Forum Programmable Matter
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • Documents
  • Quiz
  • Events
  • Polls
  • Members
  • Mentions
  • Sub-Groups
  • Tags
  • More
  • Cancel
  • New
Join Robotics to participate - click to join for free!
Actions
  • Share
  • More
  • Cancel
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 3 replies
  • Subscribers 62 subscribers
  • Views 639 views
  • Users 0 members are here
  • new_products
Related

Programmable Matter

Catwell
Catwell over 15 years ago
MIT has release a demonstration of their “programmable matter” showing a sheet folding itself into a boat and a plane shape. The “matter” uses tiny actuators at several location, dividing  a square sheet up into several triangle section. This allows the actuators to somewhat “fold” itself into shapes limited by the size of the divided sections. And the "matter" also houses several plain magnets to help keep the fold secure.
image
It's eerie to watch. And the fact that the video in black and white, makes it look like a government alien technology test from the 40s.
This video is unavailable.
You don't have permission to edit metadata of this video.
 
It has a lot of potential. I look forward to what's next for the tech.
 
Cabe
 
source
  • Sign in to reply
  • Cancel
  • WarrenW
    WarrenW over 15 years ago
    Looks like it snaps via magnets once the shape gets close to the intended point. If so that begs the question, can it return to it's original flat sheet form?
    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • Cancel
  • Catwell
    Catwell over 15 years ago in reply to WarrenW

    I doubt it. The actuators look pretty weak. It would be more mesmerizing if it could constantly change shape too.

     

    Cabe

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • Cancel
  • WarrenW
    WarrenW over 15 years ago in reply to Catwell
    That it would. Nice concept though, but real world uses?????
    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • Cancel
element14 Community

element14 is the first online community specifically for engineers. Connect with your peers and get expert answers to your questions.

  • Members
  • Learn
  • Technologies
  • Challenges & Projects
  • Products
  • Store
  • About Us
  • Feedback & Support
  • FAQs
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal and Copyright Notices
  • Sitemap
  • Cookies

An Avnet Company © 2025 Premier Farnell Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Premier Farnell Ltd, registered in England and Wales (no 00876412), registered office: Farnell House, Forge Lane, Leeds LS12 2NE.

ICP 备案号 10220084.

Follow element14

  • X
  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • YouTube