A Microvascular‐Based Multifunctional and Reconfigurable Metamaterial

Abstract

Nearly all‐natural and synthetic composites derive their characteristic attributes from a hierarchical makeup. Engineered metamaterials exhibit properties not existing in natural composites by precise patterning, often periodically on size scales smaller than the wavelength of the phenomenon they influence. Lightweight fiber‐reinforced polymer composites, comprising stiff/strong fibers embedded within a continuous matrix, offer a superior structural platform for micro‐architectured metamaterials. The emergence of microvascular fiber‐composites, originally conceived for bioinspired self‐healing via microchannels filled with functional fluids, provides a unique pathway for dynamic reconfigurable behavior. Demonstrated here is the new ability to modulate both electromagnetic and thermal responses within a single structural composite by fluid substitution within a serpentine vasculature. Liquid metal infiltration of varying density micro‐channels alters polarized radio‐frequency wave reflection, while water circulation through the same vasculature enables active‐cooling. This latest approach to control bulk property plurality by widespread vascularization exhibits minimal impact on structural performance. Detailed experimental/computational studies, presented in this paper, unravel the effects of micro‐vascular topology on macro‐mechanical behavior. The results, spanning multiple physics, provide a new benchmark for future design optimization and real‐world application of multifunctional and adaptive microvascular composite metamaterials.

Tensile and Compressive Properties of Woven Fabric Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates Containing Three-Dimensional Microvascular Channels

“…The main reason for this significant performance loss was the bending of fibers around the channels which resulted in a change in the stress state. Devi et al [ 14 ] also reached similar conclusions. Saeed et al [ 15 ] conducted three-point bending and short beam strength tests on laminates containing in-plane microvascular channels and found that both the bending strength and short beam strength of the specimens linearly decreased as the diameter of the channels increased.…”

“…It is advisable to consider in-plane and z-direction microvascular channels separately. The mechanical properties of laminates containing in-plane microvascular channels have been the focus of some studies, in which it was observed that the mechanical properties of the laminates along the direction of the in-plane channel were less affected [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 18 ]. Also, the experimental results in Section 2 indicate that the z-direction of microvascular channels is a critical position.…”

Prolonged in situ self-healing in structural composites via thermo-reversible entanglement

“…Creating lightweight, resilient fiber composites—that minimize economic and environmental impacts—will offset thermoset recycling challenges and energy demands 9 , 51 . In addition to mechanical advantage, our micro-architectured composites enable multifunctionality 52 : for example, integrated heaters provide a green alternative to adverse chemicals used for deicing grounded aircraft and also engender aerosurfaces with anti-icing capacity during flight. Notably, one can realize our materials system using existing fiber-composite fabrication and scalable additive manufacturing with commodity EMAA copolymers.…”