DIscontinuous Noisy Active Meta I Composite MATERIALS

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Carefully architected structures can form an effective material whose properties and functionalities are unusual in solids; such materials are called metamaterials. Mechanical metamaterials harness the elastic response of their building blocks. Conventionally, a metamaterial's properties change continuously, but a new class of 'discontinuous mechanical metamaterials' have emerged recently. Thus far, most attempts to design discontinuous mechanical metamaterials have focussed on varying behaviour in different spatial dimensions but neglect the fourth dimension - time - altogether. However, it is also known that elastic snap-through shows intricate dynamic behaviour. This proposal is concerned with how the time scales of elastic instability can be harnessed for designing and actuating mechanical metamaterials.We will seek a better quantitative understanding of snap-through, from a single element to an ensemble of coupled unit cells, and how its dynamics is affected by thermal fluctuations; we expect that this understanding may give more effective strategies for designing new materials. These mathematical models will focus on slender solids but would also be a first step towards a more general, abstract theory of the behaviour of discontinuous metamaterials with the same basic ingredients of elastic instabilities. To meet the intended objectives, we will build on the fellow's experience in elastic instabilities and in statistical mechanics, and the supervisor's experience in the mathematical modelling of elastic deformation of slender structures.The fellow will be based in the Mathematical Institute of the University of Oxford. Under the supervision of Prof. Dominic Vella, the fellowship will extensively broaden the fellow's knowledge of the mathematical models of dynamic slender structures and metamaterials, together with other complementary scientific skills. This action will significantly contribute to the fellow's medium and long-term career development.