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Additively manufactured Miura-Ori metamaterials with tailored design for energy absorption
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DOI:10.1108/rpj-11-2025-0605.png)
Abstract
En 中文
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<jats:title>Purpose</jats:title>
<jats:p>This study investigates Miura-Ori Metamaterials (MOMs), an origami-inspired class of mechanical metamaterials whose structural response is governed by folding geometry rather than material composition alone. The aim is to understand how variations in Miura-Ori unit-cell geometry influence compressive deformation behavior and energy dissipation capacity. By focusing on geometric effects, the study seeks to establish how MOM structures can be tailored to achieve desirable energy-absorbing performance while remaining lightweight and recoverable.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Design/methodology/approach</jats:title>
<jats:p>A parametric design model was developed in Grasshopper to generate Miura-Ori structures with adjustable geometric parameters. The Taguchi L9 design of experiments (DOE) method was applied to evaluate the influence of three key geometric parameters, wall thickness, dihedral angle and cell wall ratio, on the mechanical response. Samples were fabricated using fused filament fabrication (FFF) with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), selected for its flexibility and resilience. Mechanical characterization included tensile testing of the base material and quasi-static compression testing of the MOM samples. Stress–strain curves, onset densification strain, plateau stress and energy dissipation were calculated to assess overall performance.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Findings</jats:title>
<jats:p>The results demonstrate that the mechanical response of MOMs is highly sensitive to geometric configuration. Specific combinations of dihedral angle and cell wall ratio significantly improved the energy dissipation capacity. The findings indicate that MOMs can be systematically tuned to achieve desired levels of stiffness and energy absorption without altering material composition.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Originality/value</jats:title>
<jats:p>This work provides an experimentally validated framework for the geometry-driven optimization of MOMs. While the primary contribution centers on understanding fundamental mechanical behavior, the optimized structures can be further adapted for protective applications. As an example, the study proposes the potential integration of tuned MOM structures into custom-fit bicycle helmet liners.</jats:p>
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