Multifunctional Multi‐Scale 3D Hilbert Metamaterial With Integrated Mechanical‐Sensing Capabilities

ABSTRACT Mechanical‐Sensing Multifunctional Integrated System (MSMIS) that combines comfort and protection is essential for intelligent wearables. However, thickness constraints significantly limit the development of multifunctional metamaterials. While 2D metamembrane sensors provide sensitivity and conformability, they compromise energy absorption and multistage deformation in the vertical dimension. Here, we present a multifunctional sandwich architecture using mechanical metamaterials as facing layers. This design ensures consistent adherence to human movement while preventing saddle‐shaped deformation under out‐of‐plane loads. By maintaining the wearable device's thickness, we employed a self‐similar mathematical Hilbert curve structure as the core, which demonstrates excellent two‐stage load‐bearing capacity. This multi‐stage capacity ensures the first‐stage modulus remains below the human comfort level (0.1 MPa), while the second‐stage modulus increases by 510 times, achieving high load‐bearing and energy absorption performance under large deformation. Subsequent impact experiments and cross‐scale analyses further demonstrate the broad application potential of this mechanical‐sensing integrated structure, enabling real‐time monitoring of knees, elbows, and even fingers. Finally, by integrating machine learning, gesture recognition capabilities are achieved. This innovative design strategy opens up new possibilities for developing multi‐functional mechanical‐sensing integrated structures.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-12-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202525154
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
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article

Multifunctional Multi‐Scale 3D Hilbert Metamaterial With Integrated Mechanical‐Sensing Capabilities

Yu Gao, Xintao Wang, Minyu Qiu, Hongze Li et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

Multifunctional Multi‐Scale 3D Hilbert Metamaterial With Integrated Mechanical‐Sensing Capabilities

Yu Gao, Xintao Wang, Minyu Qiu, Hongze Li, Jia Qu, Bingang Xu, Jinshui Yang, Zhenyu Li, Weijing Wang, Hong Hu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mechanical‐Sensing Multifunctional Integrated System (MSMIS) that combines comfort and protection is essential for intelligent wearables. However, thickness constraints significantly limit the development of multifunctional metamaterials. While 2D metamembrane sensors provide sensitivity and conformability, they compromise energy absorption and multistage deformation in the vertical dimension. Here, we present a multifunctional sandwich architecture using mechanical metamaterials as facing layers. This design ensures consistent adherence to human movement while preventing saddle‐shaped deformation under out‐of‐plane loads. By maintaining the wearable device's thickness, we employed a self‐similar mathematical Hilbert curve structure as the core, which demonstrates excellent two‐stage load‐bearing capacity. This multi‐stage capacity ensures the first‐stage modulus remains below the human comfort level (0.1 MPa), while the second‐stage modulus increases by 510 times, achieving high load‐bearing and energy absorption performance under large deformation. Subsequent impact experiments and cross‐scale analyses further demonstrate the broad application potential of this mechanical‐sensing integrated structure, enabling real‐time monitoring of knees, elbows, and even fingers. Finally, by integrating machine learning, gesture recognition capabilities are achieved. This innovative design strategy opens up new possibilities for developing multi‐functional mechanical‐sensing integrated structures.

Advanced Functional Materials
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK), Harbin Engineering University (CN), Harbin Institute of Technology (CN), Education University of Hong Kong (HK)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 42%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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Multifunctional Multi‐Scale 3D Hilbert Metamaterial With Integrated Mechanical‐Sensing Capabilities — Yu Gao, Xintao Wang, et al. · Advanced Functional Materials (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS