Brief 

Discover how Purdue University’s civil engineers are pioneering intelligent architected materials that promise enhanced energy dissipation, durability, and potential self-healing features for diverse applications.

 

Insight

Researchers at Purdue University have unveiled an advanced class of materials that exhibit remarkable energy dissipation, thus reducing potential damage. Spearheaded by Pablo Zavattieri, these materials, termed “Intelligent Architected Materials,” can adapt and respond to external stimuli such as temperature changes or force application.

Due to their unique ability to change from one stable configuration to another, these materials find potential applications in earthquake engineering, impact-resistant structures, biomedical devices, and more. Regardless of whether they’re made from polymers, rubber, or even brittle substances like concrete, they are designed to stay elastic.

The team has demonstrated their scalability, ranging from large constructs suitable for buildings and bridges to units smaller than human hair strands.

Traditional cellular materials, used for their lightweight and energy absorption qualities, often have limited stable configurations. The newly developed materials from Purdue challenge this status quo, with engineered topologies that allow controlled and programmable deformations.

This, in turn, results in innovative properties such as increased energy absorption and adaptability. Notably, in collaboration with ITAMCO, Zavattieri’s team has developed a robust aircraft runway matting system. Their 3D-printed panels, far outlasting traditional mats, can endure over 5,000 landing and takeoff cycles.

Additionally, these intelligent materials show promise in the creation of non-pneumatic tires for the military, resistant to punctures, leaks, and even ballistic damage.

 

Highlight

  1. These materials, termed “Intelligent Architected Materials,” can adapt and respond to external stimuli such as temperature changes or force application.
  2. These materials find potential applications in earthquake engineering, impact-resistant structures, biomedical devices, and more.
  3. Additionally, these intelligent materials show promise in the creation of non-pneumatic tires for the military, resistant to punctures, leaks, and even ballistic damage.

 

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