Shape-Shifting Drones Need Juice

For the past few years, military researchers have been working on chameleon-like planes that can morph in mid-air, shifting from pterodactyl-like recon hubs into scrappy, narrow-winged fighters.

But, apparently, these high-tech fliers still have a big problem.  The changing-shape part is working out.  But sometimes, the electricity fails when they shift configurations. Engineers have tried out a bunch of creative solutions to keep the juice flowing: First coating the deforming skins (military speak for the pliable material that lets the wings move) with an electrically-conductive schmear, then sticking little conductive particles into the skins themselves. But so far, nothing has really worked. Either the material cracks and buckles, or it gets too stiff to move.

So now the Air Force is looking for help. In a new request titled "Development of Electrically Conductive Skins for Morphing Unmanned Air Vehicles," the agency is asking companies to submit proposals to design morphing skins that conduct electricity—and still shape-shift. For anyone up to the task, here are the specifications:

PHASE I: Conceive and demonstrate a materials concept that can obtain a surface resistivity of less than 1 ohm per square, under reversible uniaxial deformations of at least 100 percent strain with less than a 20 percent variation in resistivity.

PHASE II: Apply to 6"x6"-reinforced plate not more than 1/8" thick showing <0.1" local deflection under subsonic aerodynamic loading conditions when the surface area is changed 100% from shearing/extension/bending. Calculate force required to achieve configuration change and develop appropriate electrical and mechanical connections to both electrical ground and securely attach skin to a substructure frame.

— Kent Garber