Freeform geometries by auxetic structures
Patent 17057/TUB

The Invention enables the production of form giving structures by using auxetic materials for realization of otherwise hardly producable components.

Benefits
  1. Production of complex, doubly-curved geometries
  2. Optimizing the components in the digital design process
  3. Shaping and optimizing of the structure
  4. Formwork and reinforcement for building components made out of concrete
  5. Optimizing and simplifying for lightweight construction
Possible Applications

Lost formwork and “programmable” reinforcement for reinforced concrete building components in the construction industry; Simplified production of complex lightweight construction components from carbon or glass fiber for the automotive industry

Background

The digitalization of the design process enables the development of complex, free formed building components. Therefore complex shapes have to be compiled, which often are usable just once.

Technical Description

The innovation presented here uses auxetic structures for coding topographic information of complex building components in a two dimensional matrix. The invention is based on the atypical behavior of auxetic structures: Due to their negative Poisson’s rate it’s possible to stretch them in both space directions simultaneously. This enables a spatial deformation of a laminar initial state. This invention enables the transfer of topological and topographical information of virtually arbitrary free form surfaces to a two dimensional auxetic structure. Specifically this is a laminar pattern with individual irregular incisions, resulting directly out of the three dimensional target forms. With lasering or punching the laminar auxetic structure can be produced for example out of steel sheets. By stretching every point of this structure completely it precisely generates the desired target form as a spatial matrix. This matrix can for example be used as a lost formwork in conjunction with shotcrete or reinforcement of the desired building component. No additional forms are necessary.

Contact Us

Ina Krüger

Technology Transfer Manager

+49 (0)30 314-75916
ina.krueger@tu-berlin.de

Technology Readiness Level
TRL 4

Technology validated in lab

Property Rights

pending: EP, US

Patent Holder

Technische Universität Berlin

Possible Cooperation
  • R&D Cooperation
  • Licensing
  • Patent Purchase