On the relationship between auxetic ‘rotating polygons’ and ‘chiral’ systems

Abstract

Auxetic materials show the counter-intuitive behaviour of expanding when stretched and contracting when compressed, a property which is characteristic of various systems having particular geometric features which deform through particular deformation mechanisms. Systems which in recent years have attracted considerable attention in view of their potential to behave as auxetics include (i) systems commonly referred to as ‘rotating polygons’ constructed from rigid polygons connect together at their joints through hinges, and (ii) systems commonly referred to as ‘chirals’ and ‘antichirals’ constructed from rigid nodes connected together though flexible ligaments.