Three-dimensional meta-architecture with programmable mechanical properties

Artificial metamaterials have attracted widespread attention of research communities due to their anomalous physical properties compared to those of conventional materials.In this study,we designed a three-dimensional(3D)lightweight metaarchitecture consisting of 6-connected anti-chiral honeycombs.The mechanical properties(e.g.Young’s modulus,compression strength,and Poisson’s ratio)of the proposed meta-architecture could be programmed by adjusting a series of geometric parameters,as shown through numerical simulations.Moreover,an optically sensitive polymer-based 3D meta-architecture with 6-connected anti-chiral features was constructed by the stereolithography method.Owing to the regulation of the negative Poisson’s ratio,3D meta-architecture achieved a greater ductility under compression than those of traditional truss structures while retaining a relatively high strength and low density.Compression experiments validated the excellent tunability of the mechanical properties of the proposed 3D 6-connected antichiral structure.The results suggest the promising applications of this structure in lightweight aircraft,vibration isolation,and mechanical sensors.

Highly strengthening and toughening biomimetic ceramic structures fabricated via a novel coaxially printing

Additive manufacturing technology,by manipulating and emulating inherent multiscale,multi-material,and multifunctional structures found in nature,has created new opportunities for constructing heterogeneous structures associated with special properties and achieving ultra-high mechanical performance and reliability in ceramic composite materials.In this study,we have developed an innovative fabrication method designated as coaxial 3D printing for the synchronous construction of two constituents into ceramic composites with a tooth enamel biomimetic microstructure.Herein,the stiff silicate and flexible epoxy served as a strengthening bridge and toughening layer,respectively.The method differed from the traditional approach of randomly dispersing reinforcing components within a ceramic matrix.It allowed for the direct creation of an internally effective three-dimensional reinforcement network structure in ceramic composites.This process facilitated synergistic deformation and simultaneous enhancement of multiple materials and hierarchical structures.Owing to the uniform distribution of internal stress and effective block of microcrack propagation,the biomimetically structured silicate/epoxy ceramic composite has demonstrated much significant enhancement in mechanical properties,includingcompressive strength(48.8±3.12MPa),flexuralstrength(10.39±1.23MPa),andflexuraltoughness(218.7±54.6kJ/m^(3)),which was 0.5,2.1,and 47.5 times as high as those of the intrinsic brittle silicate ceramics,respectively.In-situ characterization and multiscale finite element simulation of microstructural evolution during three-point bending deformation further validated multiple-step features of the fracture process(silicate bridge fracture,interface detachment,epoxy extraction,and rupture),which benefited from interpenetrating structural features achieved by coaxial printing to accomplish with the complex propagating routines of the crack deflection in silicate ceramic composites.This coaxial 3D printing method paves the way for tailored toughening-strengthening designs for other brittle engineering ceramic materials.