🤸 Adaptive Twisting Metamaterials for Crash Safety

The provided text describes the development of adaptive twisting metamaterials, a novel 3D-printed material designed for customizable crash protection in vehicles and potentially aerospace applications. Developed by an international team including the University of Glasgow, this new class of material utilizes a specific gyroid lattice structure printed from steel using Additive Manufacturing. The innovation lies in the material's ability to mechanically translate compression into twisting motion, allowing it to passively adjust its stiffness and energy absorption properties without requiring external electronics. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the material’s performance is tunable, achieving maximum stiffness and energy absorption when restricted from twisting and providing softer cushioning when allowed to rotate freely. This technology aims to surpass current static protective measures and may also be applicable to novel forms of energy harvesting. More episodes https://thebusinessofmanufacturingpodcast.podbean.com/