Reconfigurable modular origami for tunable 2D symmetry groups

Abstract

Symmetry correlates with the physical properties in many fields, such as electromagnetics, optics, acoustics, etc.; thus, tunability among different symmetry groups is highly desired in the corresponding systems to achieve multiple functionalities. However, among the limited cases of altering symmetry motifs, the major methods rely on the refabrication or reassembly. Here, inspired by modular origami, we propose a set of single-degree of freedom (DOF) reconfigurable modules with rich symmetry configurations through the inherent kinematic bifurcation. Subsequently, all 17 space groups in the Euclidean plane can be achieved with only two sets of module tessellations, which can be reversibly tuned by a simple binary pressurization strategy for air pouches. Furthermore, the selection rules of multipole quasibound states in the continuum via symmetry group tuning in metasurface are established by combining electromagnetic antennas. This work opens a promising avenue to program the properties of reconfigurable metastructures based on tunable symmetry.