Shell buckling for programmable metafluids

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Fluid Dynamics
• Robotics

Background:

• Metamaterials traditionally use fixed structures.
• Recent research explores fluidic mixtures for novel properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a 'metafluid' with programmable properties using deformable capsules.
• To explore applications in robotics, logic gates, and optics.

Main Methods:

• Experimentally and numerically demonstrating shell buckling in deformable capsules within a fluid.
• Harnessing nonlinear fluid behavior for device development.
• Investigating viscosity changes due to shell collapse.

Main Results:

• The metafluid exhibits programmable compressibility, optical behavior, and viscosity.
• Shell buckling leads to highly nonlinear fluid behavior.
• Shell collapse significantly increases suspension viscosity.

Conclusions:

• The developed metafluid offers enhanced functionality for fluidic devices.
• This approach expands the capabilities of fluids themselves.
• Programmable metafluids represent a promising new material platform.