TP 4: Nonlinear micromechanics of programmable materials

Principal Investigators: Christoph Eberl and Lars Pastewka

The mechanical response of materials is determined by the materials constituents and its structure. 3D and 4D-printing techniques open new possibilities for the creation of materials with unprecedented microstructures, for example “metamaterials”. The mechanical response can then be programmed through the materials structure or geometry. A particular aim within this project is to realize bistable or multistable materials with switchable properties, that would open a new paradigm in materials engineering. The design of the these materials will be aided by inverse modeling with efficient modern micromechanical homogenization methods.