Coupled Topology–Material Design Enables Manufacturable Lattice Metamaterials with Tailored Mechanics

Xinru Li; Yifei Zhou; Danyang Qiu; Ningping Zhan; Jianxiang Qiao; Yaoxin Huang

doi:10.62177/jaet.v2i4.976

Authors

Xinru Li Ningbo University
Yifei Zhou Ningbo University
Danyang Qiu Ningbo University
Ningping Zhan Ningbo University
Jianxiang Qiao Ningbo University
Yaoxin Huang Ningbo University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/jaet.v2i4.976

Keywords:

Lattice Metamaterials, Heterogeneous Topology Design, Spatial heterostructure, Mechanical performance

Abstract

With the growing demand for lightweight and multifunctional integration in fields such as aerospace and impact protection, lattice metamaterials have attracted widespread attention due to their designable mechanical properties and excellent load-bearing and energy-dissipation characteristics. However, traditional homogeneous designs are limited by single topology-material combinations, making it difficult to overcome the performance trade-offs among stiffness, strength, and energy absorption, which constrains their further engineering application. This study focuses on the cutting-edge direction of "topology-material coupling design," aiming to systematically elaborate the theoretical and methodological framework for cross-domain performance regulation of lattice metamaterials through spatially heterogeneous design. Unlike previous research that often emphasized single performance aspects or isolated processes, this work adopts a closed-loop "design-manufacturing-performance" perspective. It integrates collaborative strategies such as functional gradients, multi-material composites, and hybrid topologies, combined with additive manufacturing techniques like laser powder bed fusion and stereolithography, to reveal the regulating mechanisms of these designs on stiffness, strength, and energy absorption under both quasi-static and dynamic loading. The research demonstrates that topology-material coupling design not only significantly expands the tunable performance space of lattice metamaterials but also promotes a paradigm shift from "homogeneous configuration" to "functional customization." Furthermore, this paper outlines future research directions, including intelligent inverse design and process-performance correlation modeling, providing a systematic theoretical reference and design framework to advance the practical application of lattice metamaterials in high-end equipment and protective structures.

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