Abstract

Three-dimensional shell-like structures can be obtained spontaneously at the microscale from the self-folding of 2D templates of rigid panels. At least for simple structures, the motion of each panel is consistent with a Brownian process and folding occurs through a sequence of binding events, where pairs of panels meet at a specific closing angle. Here, we propose a lattice model to describe the dynamics of self-folding. As an example, we study the folding of a pyramid of N lateral faces. We combine analytical and numerical Monte Carlo simulations to find how the folding time depends on the number of faces, closing angle, and initial configuration. Implications for the study of more complex structures are discussed.

Graphic abstract

中文翻译：

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用于微尺度自折叠的晶格模型

摘要

从刚性面板的2D模板的自折叠，可以在微观尺度上自发获得三维壳状结构。至少对于简单的结构，每个面板的运动与布朗过程一致，并且折叠通过一系列结合事件发生，其中成对的面板以特定的闭合角度相遇。在这里，我们提出了一个格子模型来描述自折叠的动力学。例如，我们研究了N个侧面金字塔的折叠。我们结合分析和数值蒙特卡罗模拟，发现折叠时间如何取决于工作面的数量，闭合角度和初始配置。讨论了对更复杂结构的研究的含义。

图形摘要