Void-Based Metamaterials With Filled Voids for Adaptive Armor Response

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current metamaterials lack the ability to adapt mechanical and electromagnetic properties efficiently for specific applications without significant intervention in the matrix materials and structural patterns.

Innovation Solution

A new class of porous metamaterials is developed, where a content of interest is accommodated within voids in the unit-cells, allowing for adaptable mechanical responses, electromagnetic properties, condition detection, and control of mass without affecting other properties, by introducing substances such as fluids, rigid structures, or magnetic particles that can move or change orientation within the voids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If content of interest is accommodated within voids of porous metamaterial, then adaptability of mechanical and electromagnetic properties is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of mechanical and electromagnetic propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a porous metamaterial structure with voids that can accommodate different contents (fluids, rigid structures, magnetic particles). The porous architecture allows the material to adapt its properties by introducing or removing content from the voids, while the base matrix structure remains relatively simple and unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic property adaptation by allowing the content within the voids to move or change orientation in response to external conditions. This enables the metamaterial to dynamically adjust its mechanical and electromagnetic properties without requiring complex active control systems or reconfiguration of the matrix structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If content of interest is introduced into voids, then electromagnetic properties and mechanical responses are enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical and electromagnetic propertiesVSAvoidvoid filling precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the metamaterial into discrete unit cells, each containing voids that can be independently filled with content of interest. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes where each unit cell can be produced and then assembled, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to creating a fully integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-filling the voids with content of interest during or after the matrix formation process. This approach allows the content to be positioned before final assembly or operation, ensuring proper placement without requiring extremely high precision during the final manufacturing stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables metamaterials to exhibit varying properties based on external conditions, providing enhanced mechanical and electromagnetic properties, improved armor resistance, and dynamic protection modes, while maintaining minimal intervention in the matrix materials and structural patterns.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of the content of interest accommodated within the void is magnetic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

providing for magnetizing the unmagnetized magnetic elements which are already accommodated in its voids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

introducing substances such as fluids, rigid structures, or magnetic particles that can move or change orientation within the voids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3510345B1Void-based metamaterials
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 FVMAT LTD
  • EP3510345B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3510345B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3510345B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

A porous metamaterial is disclosed, comprising a matrix (101) having a plurality of voids (103) therein, wherein a content of interest (104) is trapped within each of at least part of the voids (103), detached from the matrix (101), thereby providing a respective unit-cell (100) of the metamaterial, with an intended predetermined property associated with the presence of the content of interest (104) within the at least one void (103). A variety of applications of the disclosed metamaterials are presented, including armors having either non-Newtonian fluids or magnetic particles confined within the voids as a content of interest. Upon subjecting the magnetic particles to a rotating magnetic field, the magnetic particles spin within the voids and gain angular momentum, thereby improving the resistance of the armor against penetration. Systems and methods for manufacturing porous metamaterial units having contents of interest confined within voids therein, are also disclosed.