Invited Speaker

Abstract: A bistable composite tape-spring (CTS) structure is stable in both extended and coiled configurations, which can be fully coiled or folded following the positive Gaussian curvature deformation mechanics. Both the structural coiling and folding mechanics are dependent on tape geometries. This presentation will deliver our continuous research on deployable mechanics of the bistable CTS structure, covering mainly on the following: (i) a typical CTS folding process consists of linear bending, torsional buckling, localisation and then folding at large displacements, the folded tape shape is dominated by axial shear strains and transverse curvature changes; (ii) the deployable mechanics of a CTS is dependent on its internal stress level, which can be tailored by applying fibre prestressing, where the prestressed fibres generate compressive stresses to alter the internal stress, and thus controlling the structural bistability and deployable mechanics, as well as improving its load-carrying capabilities; (iii) smart driving of a CTS can be achieved under thermal energy, as well as magnetic field, there is a minimum energy constraint to initiate the shape morphing process, and the critical shape driving boundaries are dependent on scale effects; (iv) the bistable principle of the CTS can be extended to produce bistable torsional structures, as well as multistable hinge structures with tailorable stabilities. These are expected to further enrich the diversities of functional structures to benefit novel requirements for various deployable applications, and enable customised design, as well as smart driving for flexible and multifunctional space explorations.

Keywords: Bistable, composite, tape-spring, smart driving, morphing mechanics.

Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful for financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52475152, 52005108), as well as the start-up Funding from Education Department of Fujian Province and Fuzhou University (XRC-20066). We also thank the technical staff and aegis of the Fuzhou University International Joint Laboratory of Precision Instruments and Intelligent Measurement & Control.

Biography: Bing Wang, is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering, from School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University. He serves as the Deputy Director of Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing. He got his PhD from the University of Hull, followed by a three-year PostDoc at the University of Cambridge. Prof. Wang is a Life Member of Clare Hall Cambridge, Materials Branch Youth Committee Member of Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, Executive Council Member of Fujian Mechanical Engineering Society. He serves as Guest Editorial Members for five journals, chaired five internal conferences, and a recognised peer reviewer for more than fifty journals, including Nature, Advanced Materials, etc. He is specialised in aerospace composite and structural mechanics, leading global research in bistable deployable structures, with more than 60 published journal papers, 30 in JCR Q1, 2 ESI highly Cited papers and 1 Featured Article, 3 monographs, and several best paper awards.