Researchers Design Tougher and Stretchable Metamaterials
The structure of the material “from a distance” (Image: MIT)
The new material consists of a rigid and brittle base made of plexiglass polymers, arranged in a lattice structure. Around this, the researchers designed a “spaghetti-like network” made from the same base material. The entire construction is built from microscopic struts that, in their original form, are not flexible. However, through the unique weaving of these struts using 3D printing, an overall stretchable structure is created.
This so-called “double network” can be stretched to four times its size without completely breaking. By comparison, a normal polymer breaks immediately. Dr. Portela describes the research results as groundbreaking, noting that “you can print a double network out of metal or ceramic and achieve the same advantages. That means it takes much more energy to break the structures, and they would be significantly more stretchable.” The design of the network can therefore also be applied to other materials such as glass, ceramics, or metal. This works purely through the structure of the metamaterial. In the event of a break, the weight of the construction is not carried by the struts but redistributed to the spiral-shaped structures. As a result, the structure does not break immediately and can continue to be used. The team even deliberately added “flaws” and holes to the metamaterial, since these demonstrably increased the stability of the overall structure.
Potential applications could include fabrics that cannot tear, flexible semiconductors, chip casings, support structures for tissue cell growth, and much more. You can find more information HERE.
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*All Photo Credit: MIT
