Nematic Design for Shape Morphing

The ability to induce desired shape and topographical changes in matter on demand is key to future advances in materials science and robotics. An important class of shape-morphing solids is characterized by spatially programmable anisotropic deformations that can be activated through a variety of stimuli, including light, heat, and pressure. We use the word nematic to describe such solids, borrowing a term from liquid crystal theory. We highlight the diversity of nematics that have been developed in recent years and review their distinguishing geometric and mechanical features, with a focus on thin shape-morphing sheets. We showcase how shape-morphing nematic systems can be designed to execute mechanical tasks. We end with an exploration of the challenges and opportunities involving the control of shape-morphing systems, which will be necessary for more advanced applications in robotics and is thus a key frontier in the field.