Three-dimensional Kinematic Metamaterial with tuneable directional permeability

TL;DR

This paper introduces a reconfigurable 3D kinematic metamaterial with multiple deformation pathways, enabling tunable directional permeability and multifunctional applications like filters and waveguides.

Contribution

It presents a novel kinematic metamaterial with inherent bifurcations allowing multiple shape transformations from a single structure.

Findings

Enables switching among different deformation paths with simple stimuli.

Provides multiple open channels in orthogonal directions.

Suitable for tuneable filters and reconfigurable waveguides.

Abstract

Reconfigurable metamaterials are constructed from tessellation of deformable modules that give rise to a set of tuneable properties. To date, most research focuses on metamaterials that morph between final configurations along a single deformation path. Multi-pathway metamaterials that can transform into several different shapes according to various external stimuli are rare. Here we propose a kinematic based metamaterial with multiple predefined deformation paths. The inherent kinematic bifurcations of the deformable unit cells enable the metamaterial to switch among different paths under simple stimuli at one particular configuration, resulting in the enhancement of reconfigurability. The metamaterials demonstrated in this paper can provide multiple open channels in different orthogonal directions, making them suitable for multifunctional applications such as tuneable filters and reconfigurable wave guiding materials.