This paper presents a mechanically bistable mechanism of the compressed pre-curved beam. A governing equation is proposed which can be used to predict and explain the bistability of the compressed pre-curved beam. FE simulations and experimental tests are performed to validate the analytical solution. The beams unique tunable and asymmetrical potential energy landscape is demonstrated which enables the compressed pre-curved beam to switch its stable position without the need of applying an external force to it. Based on that, a coupled beam element is designed and used as a building block to develop reprogrammable metasurfaces that can be programmed to exhibit different configurations.
@article{arxiv.2211.00154,
title = {Developing Reprogrammable Metasurfaces with Compressed Pre-curved Beams: Theory and Applications},
author = {Fan Liu and Zian Jia and Xihang Jiang and Lifeng Wang},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2211.00154},
year = {2022}
}