Buckling-induced reversible symmetry breaking and amplification of chirality using supported cellular structures.

Kang, Sung Hoon; Shan, Sicong; Noorduin, Wim L; Khan, Mughees; Aizenberg, Joanna; Bertoldi, Katia · Adv Mater · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Buckling-induced reversible symmetry breaking and amplification of chirality using macro- and microscale supported cellular structures is described. Guided by extensive theoretical analysis, cellular structures are rationally designed, in which buckling induces a reversible switching between achiral and chiral configurations. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the proposed mechanism can be generalized over a wide range of length scales, geometries, materials, and stimuli.