Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
12:33
Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
Published on: February 4, 2013
Origami Metamaterials Based on Low-Melting-Point Alloy Phase Transition: Breaking the Trade-Off Between Reusability
Yupeng Liu1, Wei Zhao1,2, Chengjun Zeng1
1Department of Astronautical Science and Mechanics, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin, P. R. China.
Summary
This study introduces a novel origami metamaterial that overcomes the reusability-energy absorption trade-off. The innovative design achieves high energy absorption capacity and excellent reusability for advanced engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Mechanical metamaterials offer potential for energy absorption but face limitations in reusability.
- Existing designs struggle to balance high energy absorption with repeated use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel origami metamaterial that achieves both high energy absorption and reusability.
- To address the inherent trade-off between energy absorption capacity and structural recoverability in metamaterials.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a low-melting-point alloy skeleton within an elastomeric shell.
- Utilizing heat-induced solid-liquid phase transition for structural recovery.
- Multilevel synergistic design at material, unit-cell, and multi-cell system levels.
Main Results:
- Achieved an energy absorption capacity of 41.5 kJ·m-2.
- Demonstrated a crushing force stability of 0.838 and a reusability ratio of 97.8%.
- The multilevel design enhanced energy absorption quality and deformation mode stability.
Conclusions:
- The proposed origami metamaterial successfully integrates high energy absorption with high reusability.
- The synergistic design at multiple scales is key to the material's performance.
- This metamaterial shows significant promise for applications requiring repeated impact or energy dissipation.
