Foldinguvia

Foldinguvia is a class of responsive polymers that undergo controlled shape changes when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The material was first studied in 2014 by the Materials Innovation Group at the Institute for Smart Materials, where researchers demonstrated that a thin film of the polymer could bend, fold, or unfold in a reversible manner when illuminated with wavelengths between 320 and 400 nanometers. The polymer’s backbone contains azobenzene moieties, which are known to undergo trans‑cis isomerization under UV light. This molecular motion is translated into macroscopic deformation through a finely tuned arrangement of cross‑linking agents and sacrificial layers that provide mechanical compliance.

Research on Foldinguvia has focused on two main application domains. In soft robotics, the polymer is used to construct actuators that can be remotely steered without any embedded electronics. Patterned UV exposure allows the creation of complex folding sequences, enabling robots to navigate confined spaces or manipulate delicate objects. In the field of deployable structures, Foldinguvia is employed to create solar panels or antennas that remain compact during transport and expand on demand when out in space. The polymer’s intrinsic hygroscopicity can be mitigated through surface coatings, which also protect against photodegradation.

Commercialization efforts began in 2018 when a joint venture between the Institute for Smart Materials and FlexTech Ltd. released the first Foldinguvia‑based product line for the consumer electronics market. The materials are currently under regulatory review for safety in wearable devices, as they can alter skin exposure to UV light. Scientific literature indicates that, with continued research, Foldinguvia could support a broad range of adaptive technologies, yet challenges in large‑scale production and long‑term stability remain to be addressed.