Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2025

Simulation, Fabrication and Characterization of THz Metamaterial Absorbers
Published on: December 27, 2012
Multistable metamaterials enabled by arched beams for high-efficiency energy absorption.
Wenlong Liu1,2,3, Xiaojun Tan4, Sen Yan2
1College of Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, PR China.
Researchers developed novel multistable metamaterials using bistable arched beams for superior energy absorption. These materials offer customizable impact protection under both compression and tension, advancing energy-absorbing technology.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metamaterials
Background:
- Energy-absorbing materials are crucial for impact protection.
- Multistable metamaterials offer unique energy absorption advantages but face development challenges.
- Bistable primitives are key components in multistable metamaterial design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and investigate a novel energy-absorbing metamaterial utilizing bistable arched beams.
- To achieve efficient energy absorption and multistable behavior in metamaterials.
- To enable customizable energy-absorbing features for impact protection applications.
Main Methods:
- Design and simulation of metamaterials composed of bistable arched beams.
- Experimental validation of the proposed metamaterial's performance.
- Analysis of energy absorption under compressive and tensile loadings.
Main Results:
- The proposed metamaterial effectively exhibits multistable behavior.
- Efficient energy absorption was demonstrated through simulations and experiments.
- Customizable energy-absorbing features were achieved for varied loading conditions.
Conclusions:
- Bistable arched beams enable highly efficient energy-absorbing multistable metamaterials.
- The developed metamaterials offer versatile impact protection solutions.
- This research opens new pathways for arch-based multistable metamaterial development.
Related Concept Videos
Deflection of a Beam
Singularity functions, described in an earlier lesson, are powerful mathematical tools that represent discontinuities within a function commonly encountered in structural loading...
Beams with Unsymmetric Loadings
The first moment-area theorem determines the slope at any point on the beam. This theorem indicates that the change in slope between two points on a beam...
Beams with Symmetric Loadings
The M/EI...
Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending
Prismatic Beams: Problem Solving
The design begins with analyzing the beam as a free body to identify moments and force balances, thereby determining support reactions. Next, the...
Beams
Based on geometry, beams can be straight, tapered, or curved. Straight beams are the most common type and have a constant cross-section throughout their length. Tapered beams, on the other hand, have a varying cross-section along...

