The hyperbolic lattice : morphology, kinematics, and potential applications

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the kinetics and morphology of the hyperbolic lattice. Experiments began with simple models of sticks and string and progressed to the development of a surgical retractor made from biocompatible materials and the design for a lightweight deployable emergency shelter. These applications share many criteria while spanning a wide range of scales and manufacturing methods. The mechanics of soft bodied organisms such as the worm and the sea anemone were observed to better understand the kinetic models being made. A unifying theme of this study has been an interest in the correlation of form, mobility and structural behavior.