Disordered Mechanical Metamaterials

Speaker: Stefano Zapperi (Center for Complexity & Biosystems, Department of Physics, University of Milan)

Abstract:

Mechanical metamaterials are a class of artificial materials whose geometry is engineered to have peculiar mechanical properties or programmed responses that are difficult to find in conventional materials. Typically, metamaterials are periodic, but incorporating disorder into their design can provide improved functionalities over ordered structures. In this talk, I will use examples of biological materials with disordered structures to elucidate how disorder can enhance the mechanical performance of engineered mechanical metamaterials. I will clarify opportunities and pitfalls posed by randomness and discuss recently developed algorithmic and data-driven strategies for the design of disordered but optimized metamaterials.

This seminar will take place in room B1.25