Computational wrapping: A universal method to wrap 3D-curved surfaces with nonstretchable materials for conformal devices

This study starts from the counterintuitive question of how we can render conventional stiff, nonstretchable, and even brittle materials sufficiently conformable to fully wrap curved surfaces, such as spheres, without failure. Here, we extend the geometrical design method of computational origami to wrapping. Our computational wrapping approach provides a robust and reliable method for fabricating conformal devices for arbitrary curved surfaces with a computationally designed nonpolyhedral developable net. This computer-aided design transforms two-dimensional (2D)–based materials, such as Si wafers and steel sheets, into various targeted conformal structures that can fully wrap desired 3D structures without fracture or severe plastic deformation. We further demonstrate that our computational wrapping approach enables a design platform that can transform conventional nonstretchable 2D-based devices, such as electroluminescent lighting and flexible batteries, into conformal 3D curved devices.

Multilayered Transmission Lines on Quasi-planar Substrates With Anisotropic Medium

This paper exhibits the extension of the discrete mode matching (DMM) method to analyze conformal structures with anisotropy. It represents a simple formalism as a basis to analyze multilayered structures with quasi-planar anisotropic dielectric layers. The dyadic Green's function is then calculated using a full-wave equivalent circuit (FWEC) of the structure, where each layer is represented with the hybrid block consisting of the tangential field components. The application is demonstrated by computing propagation constants for partially filled quasi-planar waveguides and microstrip lines with isotropic, uniaxial and biaxial anisotropic dielectrics.