Nematic Design for Shape Morphing

The ability to induce desired shape and topographical changes in matter on demand is key to future advances in materials science and robotics. An important class of shape-morphing solids is characterized by spatially programmable anisotropic deformations that can be activated through a variety of stimuli, including light, heat, and pressure. We use the word nematic to describe such solids, borrowing a term from liquid crystal theory. We highlight the diversity of nematics that have been developed in recent years and review their distinguishing geometric and mechanical features, with a focus on thin shape-morphing sheets. We showcase how shape-morphing nematic systems can be designed to execute mechanical tasks. We end with an exploration of the challenges and opportunities involving the control of shape-morphing systems, which will be necessary for more advanced applications in robotics and is thus a key frontier in the field.

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Publication Details

Journal
Annual Review of Control Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Published
2025-12-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-control-030624-011240
Primary Topic
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Nematic Design for Shape Morphing

John S. Biggins, Cyrus Mostajeran, Timothy J. White, K. Jimmy Hsia et al.
Annual Review of Control Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
article

Nematic Design for Shape Morphing

John S. Biggins, Cyrus Mostajeran, Timothy J. White, K. Jimmy Hsia, Xudong Yang, Itay Griniasty, Mingchao Liu, Daniel Duffy
article en

Abstract

The ability to induce desired shape and topographical changes in matter on demand is key to future advances in materials science and robotics. An important class of shape-morphing solids is characterized by spatially programmable anisotropic deformations that can be activated through a variety of stimuli, including light, heat, and pressure. We use the word nematic to describe such solids, borrowing a term from liquid crystal theory. We highlight the diversity of nematics that have been developed in recent years and review their distinguishing geometric and mechanical features, with a focus on thin shape-morphing sheets. We showcase how shape-morphing nematic systems can be designed to execute mechanical tasks. We end with an exploration of the challenges and opportunities involving the control of shape-morphing systems, which will be necessary for more advanced applications in robotics and is thus a key frontier in the field.

Annual Review of Control Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Tel Aviv University (IL), Nanyang Technological University (SG), University of Colorado Boulder (US), University of Cambridge (GB), University of Michigan (US), University of Colorado System (US), Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SG), Department of Mathematical Sciences (RU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 60%
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
DOISourceOpenAlex
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Nematic Design for Shape Morphing — John S. Biggins, Cyrus Mostajeran, et al. · Annual Review of Control Robotics and Autonomous Systems (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS