Ultra-stiff and ultra-light architected metamaterial for vibration mitigation

We designed, fabricated, and experimentally validated an architected mechanical metamaterial vibration shielding while ensuring high effective stiffness with low density. The structure is made of a periodic succession of octet truss units with alternating circular strut diameters. The octet truss endows the meta-structure with a high effective stiffness and a low effective density, while alternating the units with different struts radii enables the opening of a wide band-gap for elastic waves. Samples were 3D printed and experimentally validated using a shaker and accelerometer. Unidirectional compression test was also performed to characterize the mechanical properties of the metamaterial. The results are in good agreement with the numerical prediction.