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Tunable sequential pathways through spatial partitioning and frustration tuning in soft metamaterials.
Asma El Elmi1, Damiano Pasini1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke St. West, H3A 0C3 Montréal, Québec, Canada. damiano.pasini@mcgill.ca.
Soft Matter
|January 10, 2024
Summary
This study introduces spatial partitioning in soft metamaterials to control mechanical pathways. Partitioning enables tunable sequential pathways by localizing deformation, offering new functionalities for soft matter.
Area of Science:
- Soft matter physics
- Metamaterials science
- Mechanical engineering
Background:
- Elastic instabilities in soft metamaterials enable functionalities like mechanical memory and sequential pathways.
- Existing research primarily focuses on complex media or hysteretic elements, with limited exploration of frustrated and partitioned soft metamaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce spatial partitioning as a method to localize deformation in soft metamaterials.
- To investigate how partitioning influences sequential pathways and their interactions.
- To explore methods for tuning and programming these pathways.
Main Methods:
- Spatial partitioning achieved by arranging soft inclusions in a soft lattice.
- Examination of two partition configurations: equally spaced layer (series) and cross (parallel).
- Frustration of the partitioned metamaterial post-manufacture to obtain sequential pathways.
- Characterization using experiments and simulations, tracking polarization changes.
- Tuning pathways via uniform lateral pre-strain, nonuniform confinement, and domain edge tilting.
Main Results:
- Partitioning successfully localizes deformation into distinct mechanical units.
- Demonstrated tunability of pathways from longitudinal with weak interactions to strong interactions.
- Identified strong interactions arising from geometric incompatibility and central domain rotation.
- Showcased tunability of pathways by adjusting lateral pre-strain, confinement, and domain edge angles.
- Achieved programming of pathways and access to a larger set of states.
Conclusions:
- Spatial partitioning is an effective strategy for controlling deformation and enabling tunable sequential pathways in soft metamaterials.
- The proposed methods offer precise control over pathway characteristics and inter-region interactions.
- This work opens avenues for designing advanced soft metamaterials with programmable mechanical responses.
