MULTISTABLE, COMPRESSIBLE, COMPOSITE METAMATERIAL WITH ARTICULATED ELEMENTS AND WHICH CAN BE MADE WITH 3D PRINTING PROCESSES

摘要

Metamaterial composed of a plurality of elastic elements (3), rigid elements (1; 2), and hinges (4), wherein the hinges (4) of the single cells of the metamaterial allow the rotation of some elements with respect to others and the axial elongation or the axial compression of the elastic elements (3), without bending stress in any rigid element, except at most in the zone directly defined by the hinges (4). In general, the elastic elements and the rigid elements are made of different materials, optimal for the different functions that the respective elements must perform. The absence of plastic deformations in the elements of the metamaterial ensures the reversibility and the quick recovery of the initial shape of the metamaterial after an external stimulus. The metamaterial has a plurality of stable states of the potential energy (or internal energy) which can be suitably designed in order to facilitate and speed up the return of the metamaterial into the original condition after the action of an external force. The metamaterial can be suitably preloaded in order to act as energy absorber, as an actuator or as a vibration isolator. In the case of an energy absorber, for example, the preload is adjustable based on the impact energy that is intended to be absorbed.