Researchers from Empa and ETH Zurich have succeeded in producing a prototype of a vibration-damping material that could change the world of mechanics forever.
The material of the future is not only able to damp vibrations completely; it can also specifically conduct certain frequencies further.
Although the “programmable material” still only works in a one-dimensional model construction, it has already demonstrated it unusual capabilities: The research project entitled Phononic Crystal with Adaptive Connectivity has just been published in the journal Advanced Materials (www.advmat.de). The first step towards mechanical components with freely programmable properties has thus been achieved.
The working model used by the researchers consists of a one-meter by one-centimeter aluminum plate that is one millimeter thick. This sheet-metal strip can vibrate at different frequencies. In order to control the wave propagation, ten small aluminum cylinders (7 mm thick, 1 cm high) are attached to the metal. Between the sheet and the cylinders sit piezo discs, which can be stimulated electronically and change their thickness in a flash. This ultimately enables the team headed by project supervisor Andrea Bergamini to control exactly whether and how waves are allowed to propagate in the sheet-metal strip. The aluminum strip thus turns into a so-called adaptive phononic crystal – a material with adaptable properties.
Adaptation in fractions of a second
The piezo controls can now be set in such a way that waves are able to propagate through the sheet-metal strip “perfectly normally”, i.e. as though no aluminum cylinders were attached to it. Another configuration enables a certain frequency spectrum of the waves to be absorbed. And this muffling is variable as the piezo elements can alter their elastic properties electronically in fractions of a second – from low to high stiffness. Bergamini explains what could develop from the research results: “Imagine you produce a sheet of metal, imprinted with an electronic circuit and small piezo elements at regular intervals. This sheet metal could be programmed electronically to block a certain vibration frequency. The interesting thing is that even if you cut off part of the sheet, the waves in the cropped section would largely spread in the same way as in the initial piece.” This method could be used on three-dimensional components.
Such a “metamaterial” could fundamentally revolutionize mechanical engineering and plant construction. Until now, the vibration properties were already determined in the selection of material and the geometry of the part. In future, the material could react to current vibration readings and adapt its vibration properties at lightning speed.
Further research on “programmable materials“
During the Phononic Crystal with Adaptive Connectivity research project, Empa-researcher Bergamini collaborated with Paolo Ermanni’s group at ETH Zurich and Massimo Ruzzene from Georgia Institute of Technology. In a follow-up project, the programmability of the prototype is to be expanded: “Until now, every piezo element has reacted to vibrations alone, independent of its neighbor,” explains Bergamini. “As the next step, we want to interconnect the elements with each other to be able to control them jointly or in a coordinated fashion.”
The Latest on: Programmable materials
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Programmable materials” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Programmable materials
- Formula E program step one on the comeback trail for Lolaon April 27, 2024 at 3:06 pm
More than a decade after disappearing from the motorsport landscape, a sleeping giant is getting ready to awaken. Till Bechtolsheimer gained control of the Lola name, intellectual property, ...
- Manistee Library program targets positive mental health for kidson April 27, 2024 at 9:35 am
A free program is scheduled at the Manistee library to promote mental health for children and emphasize the importance of appreciating positive things in their ...
- Bomb-making materials awareness program launches in Austinon April 26, 2024 at 2:57 pm
The City of Austin's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management launched a new program to help spread awareness on bomb-making materials.
- Youth Conservation Ambassador Program creates career and leadership connectionson April 26, 2024 at 8:00 am
Through May 10, Ashland SWCD is accepting applications for our brand-new Youth Conservation Ambassador program. The program is open to Ashland County youth who are at least 16 years old who are ...
- Mars And Unreasonable Group Announce First Cohorts For New Programon April 26, 2024 at 1:47 am
The 15 cohorts have been selected as the first wave of the Unreasonable Food program and are headquartered across five continents.
- Researchers create first artificial, modifiable cells with programmable DNAon April 24, 2024 at 8:08 am
The achievement holds significant promise for advancements in regenerative medicine, drug delivery methods, and diagnostic technologies.
- DOD Awards Funding for Hypersonic Materials & Processing Technologies Developmenton April 23, 2024 at 2:10 pm
Looking for the latest Government Contracting News? Read about DOD Awards Funding for Hypersonic Materials & Processing Technologies Development.
- Beyond biology: Creating dynamic synthetic cells with programmable DNAon April 22, 2024 at 4:59 pm
To do this, they used a new programmable peptide-DNA technology that directs peptides, the building blocks of proteins, and repurposed genetic material to work together to form a cytoskeleton. DNA ...
- Here's How Much Stock Applied Materials Repurchased in the Past Yearon April 18, 2024 at 3:10 am
Here's how much stock Applied Materials bought back in each of the past four quarters. Applied Materials generates more-than-enough cash to fund its share-buyback program. In the first quarter of ...
- FuzeHub will play statewide role in advanced manufacturing programon April 17, 2024 at 4:24 pm
The Albany nonprofit, which helps small and medium manufacturers, will have a special focus on advanced materials ...
via Bing News