jamSheets: Thin Stiffness Tunable Interfaces Using Layer Jamming Mechanism

This works introduces layer jamming as an enabling technology for designing deformable, stiffness tunable thin sheet interfaces. A tunable stiffness property can provide dynamic haptic feedback, deforming and consolidating shapes of the interfaces. In comparison to particle jamming technique, layer jamming allows to construct relative lightweight and thin shape. We provide a material survey for layer jamming material selection; layer jamming design principles of material composite and jamming material structure. We also developed a layer composite approach to embed sensing and pneumatic actuation on the layer jamming unit. Through three application prototypes we demonstrate the potential design space of layer jamming technology.