Identifying Potential Applications for Lamina Emergent Mechanisms Using Technology Push Product Development

The maturation of lamina emergent mechanism (LEM) technology allows for incorporation into new products. LEMs are defined by three basic, functional characteristics: they (1) are compliant; (2) are fabricated from planar materials; and (3) emerge from a flat initial state. The associated advantages, design challenges, and design tools of each of these characteristics are described. A discussion of opportunities for LEMs that are enabled by the advantages of the functional characteristics is also included. Technology push product development processes were employed in a LEM workshop where seventeen industry professionals helped identify over 200 potential applications for the technology. The most promising ideas are described for disposable LEMs, novel arrays of LEMs, scaled LEMs, LEMs with surprising motion, shock absorbing LEMs, and deployable LEMs.