On June 26, 2023, the " Seminar on Multi-stable Metamaterials " was successfully held in the Motion Structure Laboratory (MSL). Participating experts are Prof. Jiang Hanqing from Westlake University, Prof. Guo Hongwei from Harbin Institute of Technology, Prof. Chen Guimin from Xi’an Jiaotong University, Prof. Zhao Haifeng from Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. You Zhong from Oxford University, Prof. Li Yang from Wuhan University, and Prof. Chen Yan, Prof. Ma Jiayao and associate Prof. Zhang Xiao from Tianjin University. Prof. Jiang Hanqing, Prof. Guo Hongwei, Prof. Chen Guimin and Prof. Zhao Haifeng respectively made very attractive academic reports.

        Prof. Hanqing Jiang gave a fascinating presentation on “Multi-mode motion and interaction of flexible robots”. Different from traditional rigid robots, soft robots have become a hot research direction in the international robot field because of their excellent human-computer interaction friendliness. However, how to make soft robot exert its flexibility and have multiple motion modes like rigid robot is a difficult problem in the current academic and industry, and also one of the "hard injuries" that restricts soft robot to industrial application. Prof. Jiang's report focused on the various motion modes of the soft robot arm from three aspects, including how to use the traditional pneumatic mode to generate multiple modes and improve the bearing capacity, how to combine the smart materials and soft materials to enrich the modes, and further enrich the deformation mode on the basis of the origami structure. Finally, the report discusses the use of origami structures to enrich new interactions between the real physical world and the virtual world.

        Prof. Guo Hongwei gave a fascinating presentation on “Research progress and prospect of deploying deformation mechanism technology for aerospace vehicle”. Aerospace technology is a concentrated embodiment and an important symbol of national scientific and technological level and comprehensive national strength. In recent years, China has implemented major aerospace science and technology projects such as space vehicles, manned spaceflight, high-resolution earth observation, and deep space exploration. Deployable mechanism is the core equipment to expand the function and improve the performance of the aircraft, and the deploying deformation mechanism of the space vehicle has become the technical frontier and academic hot spot in the international aerospace field. This report introduces the progress of relevant research work at home and abroad, theoretical and technical breakthroughs and applications from the aspects of space folding mechanism and variable configuration vehicle, and prospects and summarizes the development trend of space and space vehicle deploying deformation mechanism.

        Prof. Chen Guimin gave a fascinating presentation on “A kind of bistable software driver for bending and twisting”. Bistable mechanisms are a class of compliant mechanisms with special functions. They can realize configuration self-maintenance at multiple positions, where the strain energy stored in the mechanism is minimized, and the process of switching between adjacent stable state positions is accompanied by rapid release of strain energy. Aiming at the low power density of ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscle, a new bistable mechanism was designed for IPMC, and a bistable soft driver with high transient power density was obtained. By using the strain energy release of bistable switching, the IPMC power density is greatly improved, which provides a new way for the "uncabled and fully integrated" design of micro-miniature robots.

        Prof. Zhao Haifeng gave a fascinating presentation on “Space Science experiments and payloads”. Prof. Zhao focuses on the application of advanced structural design methods of computational mechanics to solve material-structure-mechanics problems in the development of equipment in extreme environments in the fields of aviation, aerospace and energy. The research areas include: spacecraft structural design and mechanics, solid and material mechanics, geomechanics and probe research related to energy exploration. The report mainly focuses on the field of manned space engineering, introducing the eight major systems of manned space engineering, scientific research layout and direction, platform construction, and the layout of China's space station, scientific experiment platform, and application projects.

        The report and discussion of this seminar show breadth and depth, promoted the academic exchanges in the field of multi-stable metamaterials at home and abroad, and provided broader ideas and valuable experience for the future research of teachers and students in the laboratory.