In July 2026, IDEAS² researchers Illyes Krida and Charlie Broadbent advanced computational and experimental studies of deployable space structures.
In collaboration with IDEAS² Stanford Co-I Dr. Manan Arya, Illyes developed a MATLAB model for the dynamic deployment of a curved-crease parabolic reflector. The model incorporates structural stiffness, mass, boundary conditions, and viscous damping to simulate the reflector’s deployment behavior.
The MATLAB model was compared with detailed Abaqus simulations and showed good agreement in deployment time, energy evolution, and overall structural response. This provides a more efficient approach for evaluating reflector concepts and supporting future design studies without relying exclusively on computationally intensive simulations.
In parallel, Charlie continued development of a deployable Hoberman dome using physical prototyping and Abaqus/Explicit simulations. The work examines hinge behavior, material properties, friction, support conditions, and actuator placement to improve deployment reliability and reduce actuation requirements.