A multi-disciplinary approach for mechanical metamaterial synthesis: a hierarchical modular multiscale cellular structure paradigm

Recent advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing have prompted the need for designing new multiscale architectured materials for various industrial applications. These multiscale architectures are designed to obtain the desired macroscale behavior by activating interactions between different length scales and coupling different physical mechanisms. Although promising results have been recently obtained, the design of such systems still represents a challenge in terms of mathematical modeling, experimentation, and manufacturing. In this paper, some research perspectives are discussed aiming to determine the most efficient methodology needed to design novel metamaterials. A multidisciplinary approach based on Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques may be very effective. The main feature of the described DIC-based approach consists of the integration of different methodologies to create a synergistic relationship among the different steps from design to fabrication and validation. Experimental techniques and modeling approaches are envisioned to be combined in feedback loops whose objective is to determine the required multiscale architectures of newly designed metamaterials. Moreover, it is necessary to develop appropriate mathematical models to estimate the behavior of such metamaterials. Within this new design approach, the manufacturing process can be effectively guided by a precise theoretical and experimental framework. In order to show the applicability of the proposed approach, some preliminary results are provided for a particular type of mechanical metamaterial, namely, pantographic metamaterials. Lastly, the most relevant challenges are highlighted among those that must be addressed for future applications.