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Bioinspired twist-hyperbolic metamaterial for impact buffering and self-powered real-time sensing in UAVs
Xujiang Chao1, Haoteng Hu1, Jianjie Lin1
1School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China.
Science Advances
|September 3, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a bioinspired metamaterial protector that absorbs impacts and generates power for self-sensing in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It offers lightweight vibration mitigation and real-time monitoring without external power.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomimetics
Background:
- Turbulence-induced vibrations threaten aircraft, especially UAVs, necessitating lightweight impact monitoring and protection.
- Existing solutions often lack integrated sensing or require external power sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional protective system for UAVs that simultaneously buffers impacts and enables self-powered sensing.
- To create a lightweight, bioinspired solution for enhanced structural integrity and real-time monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a twist-hyperbolic metamaterial (THM) with a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG).
- Characterization of the THM-TENG protector's tunable stiffness, impact energy absorption, and specific energy absorption.
- Utilizing triboelectrification to convert mechanical impact energy into electrical signals for sensing.
Main Results:
- The THM-TENG protector demonstrated tunable stiffness (40-4300 N/mm) and ~70% impact energy absorption.
- Achieved a specific energy absorption of ~0.25 J/g with a total weight of 10 grams.
- Enabled real-time impact load monitoring (up to 1000 N, ≤5 Hz) through self-generated electrical signals.
Conclusions:
- The THM-TENG system offers dual functionality for UAVs: vibration mitigation and self-powered real-time monitoring (force, positioning, early warning).
- This bioinspired, lightweight system provides a transformative framework for protective technologies in aerospace, robotics, and autonomous vehicles without external power.
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