Numerical assessment of directional energy performance for 3D printed midsole structures

Energy can be represented in the form of deformation obtained by the applied force. Energy transfer is defined in physics as the energy is moved from one place to another. To make the energy transfer functional, energy should be moved into the right direction. If it is possible to make a better use of the energy in the right direction, the energy efficiency of the structure can be enhanced. This idea leads to the concept of directional energy transfer (DET), which refers to transferring energy from one direction to a specific direction. With the recent development of additive manufacturing and topology optimization, complex structures can be applied to various applications to enhance performances, like a wheel and shoe midsole. While many works are related to structural strength, there is limited research in optimization for energy performance. In this study, a theoretical approach is proposed to measure the directional energy performance of a structure, which can be used to measure the net energy in an intended direction. The purpose is to understand the energy behavior of a structure and to measure if a structure is able to increase energy in the desired direction.