Non-integer-dimensional architected materials enabling synergistic acoustic, mechanical, and fluid coupling

Architected materials have long struggled to achieve true multifunctionality, as attempts to combine acoustic insulation, mechanical robustness, and ventilation often rely on hybridized or modular designs that compromise scalability. Here we introduce a dimension-driven strategy that exploits non-integer-dimensional architected materials (NDAMs) to achieve multifunctional integration within a single topological framework. As a proof of concept, Menger sponge-inspired NDAMs were fabricated by high-resolution additive manufacturing, demonstrating three capabilities: broadband acoustic insulation through self-similarity induced scattering and resonance, tunable mechanical energy absorption <i>via</i> stress redistribution, and enhanced airflow efficiency enabled by drag-reducing multiscale channels. These functionalities arise intrinsically from fractal hierarchy, without reliance on material heterogeneity or external hybridization. Crucially, the dimensional parameter serves as a scalable and fabrication-accessible handle, bridging abstract fractional geometry with real-world engineering. This work establishes NDAMs as a powerful design axis for next-generation multifunctional metamaterials, with potential applications in aerospace, transport, and biomedical systems.

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Publication Details

Journal
Materials Horizons
Published
2025-11-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1039/d5mh01768h
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Acoustic Wave Phenomena Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.70
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Non-integer-dimensional architected materials enabling synergistic acoustic, mechanical, and fluid coupling

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article

Non-integer-dimensional architected materials enabling synergistic acoustic, mechanical, and fluid coupling

Ziping Lei, Zichao Guo, Kexin Zeng, Zhonggang Wang, Zheng Fan, Yongjun Chen, Zhendong Li
article en
4 citations

Abstract

Architected materials have long struggled to achieve true multifunctionality, as attempts to combine acoustic insulation, mechanical robustness, and ventilation often rely on hybridized or modular designs that compromise scalability. Here we introduce a dimension-driven strategy that exploits non-integer-dimensional architected materials (NDAMs) to achieve multifunctional integration within a single topological framework. As a proof of concept, Menger sponge-inspired NDAMs were fabricated by high-resolution additive manufacturing, demonstrating three capabilities: broadband acoustic insulation through self-similarity induced scattering and resonance, tunable mechanical energy absorption <i>via</i> stress redistribution, and enhanced airflow efficiency enabled by drag-reducing multiscale channels. These functionalities arise intrinsically from fractal hierarchy, without reliance on material heterogeneity or external hybridization. Crucially, the dimensional parameter serves as a scalable and fabrication-accessible handle, bridging abstract fractional geometry with real-world engineering. This work establishes NDAMs as a powerful design axis for next-generation multifunctional metamaterials, with potential applications in aerospace, transport, and biomedical systems.

Materials HorizonsVol. 13(2)
Central South University (CN), National University of Singapore (SG), Nanyang Technological University (SG), Hunan Xiangdian Test Research Institute (China) (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Acoustic Wave Phenomena Research
2.70
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