MIT engineers develop shape-changing smart devices using bifur-circuits

Researchers at MIT have developed a new system of 3D-printed modular components called “bifur-circuits” that allow for the creation of shape-changing smart devices. These components are a type of mechanical metamaterial that utilizes mechanical bifurcation—a sudden shift in structural behavior—to enable objects to snap into dozens of stable configurations.

A key feature of this technology is its ability to maintain continuous, wire-free electrical conductivity regardless of how the structure is bent, twisted, or reconfigured. By embedding flexible conductive materials at pivot points, the blocks can sense their own shape and send messages to electronic displays without external wiring.

Potential applications for this technology include reconfigurable robotic grippers, adaptive soft-robotics, assistive furniture for injury rehabilitation, and emergency shelters that respond to changing environments. The researchers have already demonstrated interactive objects such as a game controller and a chair that can convert into a table with storage.