Non-orientable order

We create metamaterials with built-in frustration, show that they are exhibit a topological property: non-orientable order. We further demontrate that non-orientable order helps to create programmable non-commutative response. Published in Nature.

Stiff vibration dampers

 

Usually, materials are either stiff or can absorb vibrations well – but rarely both. Here, we exploit buckling to make metamaterials that are both stiff and good at absorbing vibrations. Out in Advanced Materials. See also this press release.

Self-oscillation, self-snapping and synchronisation in elastoactive structures

We discovered a range of nonlinear behaviors in elastoactive chains, including self-oscillations, self-snapping and synchronization. See paper in PRL.

 

Neural networks learn combinatorial rules.

In our latest PRL we show that combinatorial metamaterials—think of complicated puzzle pieces fitting together to make desired shapes—can be classified efficiently and accurately by neural networks. This is surprising, since these desired shapes occur only for very few specific designs and are sensitive to even a single puzzle piece changing.

 

Review on Dissipative Metamaterials

Our review on the Extreme Mechanics of Viscoelastic Metamaterials is out in APL Materials!

 

Reiventing the wheel

In this preprint, we turn odd active matter into robots.

Edible metamaterials

We use chocolate metamaterials to tailor mouthfeel. Check out our recent Soft Matter paper and press release.

Conformal Elasticity of Metamaterials

Deformations of auxetic metamaterials are angle-preserving and can be treated by a novel elastic theory that uses conformal maps. Paper in Nature Communications.

 

 

One material, two functionalities

In our lastest PNAS article, we have developed a toolbox to create materials that feature multiple such properties simultaneously.

Topology and Broken Hermiticity

In this perspective article in Nature Physics, we review the latest advances in the merger between the fields of topological materials and non-Hermitian physics. A highly multidisciplinary field with lots of exciting open questions to address…