This paper presents isogeometric topology optimization (ITO) for periodic lattice materials, where non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) basis functions of CAD models are directly used in the finite ...element analysis to improve computational accuracy and efficiency. Two TO schemes that use asymptotic homogenization (AH) for the calculation of the mechanical properties are proposed for lattice materials with uniform and graded relative density respectively. To accelerate ITO for graded lattice materials, the mechanical properties are expressed as a function of the relative density of the unit cell, a step that avoids their iterative calculations during ITO. Three benchmark examples are presented to validate the proposed scheme with results that show tangible advantages, such as reduced computational time and faster convergence, of ITO over conventional TO.
•A multiscale isogeometric topology optimization is presented for lattice materials.•Asymptotic homogenization is coupled to topology optimization for lattice design.•The role of cell topology is demonstrated in the optimal density distribution of lattices.•Benchmark examples are presented to prove the efficiency of the proposed scheme.
Origami crease patterns have inspired the design of reconfigurable materials that can transform their shape and properties through folding. Unfortunately, most designs cannot provide load-bearing ...capacity, and those that can, do so in certain directions but collapse along the direction of deployment, limiting their use as structural materials. Here, we merge notions of kirigami and origami to introduce a rigidly foldable class of cellular metamaterials that can flat-fold and lock into several states that are stiff across multiple directions, including the deployment direction. Our metamaterials rigidly fold with one degree of freedom and can reconfigure into several flat-foldable and spatially-lockable folding paths due to face contact. Locking under compression yields topology and symmetry changes that impart multidirectional stiffness. Additionally, folding paths and mixed-mode configurations can be activated in situ to modulate their properties. Their load-bearing capacity, flat-foldability, and reprogrammability can be harnessed for deployable structures, reconfigurable robots, and low-volume packaging.
•Cell topology and geometric imperfections govern elastic response and failure modes in additively fabricated lattices.•Imperfect-geometry models with statistical defect distribution can predict ...measured compressive Young's Modulus and strength with 10% accuracy.•Computation study quantifies sensitivity of elastic and failure response to strut waviness, strut thickness variation, and strut oversizing.•Geometric imperfections can cause failure mode transitions not visible in defect-free lattices.
This paper examines three-dimensional metallic lattices with regular octet and rhombicuboctahedron units fabricated with geometric imperfections via Selective Laser Sintering. We use X-ray computed tomography to capture morphology, location, and distribution of process-induced defects with the aim of studying their role in the elastic response, damage initiation, and failure evolution under quasi-static compression. Testing results from in-situ compression tomography show that each lattice exhibits a distinct failure mechanism that is governed not only by cell topology but also by geometric defects induced by additive manufacturing. Extracted from X-ray tomography images, the statistical distributions of three sets of defects, namely strut waviness, strut thickness variation, and strut oversizing, are used to develop numerical models of statistically representative lattices with imperfect geometry. Elastic and failure responses are predicted within 10% agreement from the experimental data. In addition, a computational study is presented to shed light into the relationship between the amplitude of selected defects and the reduction of elastic properties compared to their nominal values. The evolution of failure mechanisms is also explained with respect to strut oversizing, a parameter that can critically cause failure mode transitions that are not visible in defect-free lattices.
Existing mechanical metamaterials are typically designed to either withstand loads as a stiff structure, shape morph as a floppy mechanism, or trap energy as a multistable matter, distinct behaviours ...that correspond to three primary classes of macroscopic solids. Their stiffness and stability are sealed permanently into their architecture, mostly remaining immutable post-fabrication due to the invariance of zero modes. Here, we introduce an all-in-one reprogrammable class of Kagome metamaterials that enable the in-situ reprogramming of zero modes to access the apparently conflicting properties of all classes. Through the selective activation of metahinges via self-contact, their architecture can be switched to acquire on-demand rigidity, floppiness, or global multistability, bridging the seemingly uncrossable gap between structures, mechanisms, and multistable matters. We showcase the versatile generalizations of the metahinge and remarkable reprogrammability of zero modes for a range of properties including stiffness, mechanical signal guiding, buckling modes, phonon spectra, and auxeticity, opening a plethora of opportunities for all-in-one materials and devices.
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High-strength fully porous biomaterials built with additive manufacturing provide an exciting opportunity for load-bearing orthopedic applications. While factors controlling their ...mechanical and biological response have recently been the subject of intense research, the interplay between mechanical properties, bone ingrowth requirements, and manufacturing constraints, is still unclear. In this paper, we present two high-strength stretch-dominated topologies, the Tetrahedron and the Octet truss, as well as an intuitive visualization method to understand the relationship of cell topology, pore size, porosity with constraints imposed by bone ingrowth requirements and additive manufacturing. 40 samples of selected porosities are fabricated using Selective Laser Melting (SLM), and their morphological deviations resulting from SLM are assessed via micro-CT. Mechanical compression testing is used to obtain stiffness and strength properties, whereas bone ingrowth is assessed in a canine in vivo model at four and eight weeks. The results show that the maximum strength and stiffness ranged from 227.86±10.15 to 31.37±2.19MPa and 4.58±0.18 to 1.23±0.40GPa respectively, and the maximum 0.2% offset strength is almost 5 times stronger than that of tantalum foam. For Tetrahedron samples, bone ingrowth after four and eight weeks is 28.6%±11.6%, and 41.3%±4.3%, while for the Octet truss 35.5%±1.9% and 56.9%±4.0% respectively. This research is the first to demonstrate the occurrence of bone ingrowth into high-strength porous biomaterials which have higher structural efficiency than current porous biomaterials in the market.
We present two stretch-dominated cell topologies for porous biomaterials that can be used for load-bearing orthopaedic applications, and prove that they encourage bone ingrowth in a canine model. We also introduce an intuitive method to visualize and understand the relationship of cell topology, pore size, porosity with constraints imposed by bone ingrowth requirements and additive manufacturing. We show this strategy helps to gain insight into the interaction of exogenous implant factors and endogenous system factors that can affect the success of load-bearing orthopaedic devices.
Self‐healing electronic materials are of primary interest for bioelectronics and sustainable electronics. In this work, autonomic self‐healing of films obtained from mixtures of the conducting ...polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) is reported. The presence of PEG in PEDOT:PSS films decreases the elastic modulus and increases the elongation at break, thus leading to a softer material with enhanced self‐healing characteristics. In situ imaging of the cutting/healing process shows that the healing mechanism is likely due to flowing back of the material to the damaged area right after the cutting.
Films processed from mixtures of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and polyethylene glycol show autonomic self‐healing when cut with a sharp blade.
The Automated Fiber placement (AFP) process shows great potential for efficient manufacturing of large composite structures. However, uncertainties exist on mechanical performance of final product ...that are associated with the process induced defects. This experimental work investigates the effect of four principal defect types, namely gap, overlap, half gap/overlap and twisted tow on the ultimate strengths. Tests are executed at the lamina level (fiber tension, fiber compression and in-plane shear), as well as at the laminate level (open hole tension and open hole compression). Then each test is compared with a baseline configuration exempt from defects. Tests have revealed the minimal effects of a single and isolated defects on mechanical performance especially at the lamina level (around 5%) compared to the laminate level (up to 13%).
As a physical response to water loss during drought, inner Selaginella lepidophylla stems curl into a spiral shape to prevent photoirradiation damage to their photosynthetic surfaces. Curling is ...reversible and involves hierarchical deformation, making S. lepidophylla an attractive model with which to study water-responsive actuation. Investigation at the organ and tissue level has led to the understanding that the direction and extent of stem curling can be partially attributed to stiffness gradients between adaxial and abaxial stem sides at the nanoscale. Here, we examine cell wall elasticity to understand how it contributes to the overall stem curling. We compare the measured elastic moduli along the stem length and between adaxial and abaxial stem sides using atomic force microscopy nano-indentation testing. We show that changes in cortex secondary cell wall development lead to cell wall stiffness gradients from stem tip to base, and also between adaxial and abaxial stem sides. Changes in cortical cell wall morphology and secondary cell wall composition are suggested to contribute to the observed stiffness gradients.
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