Beyond the Meta-structuring
Novel properties of meta-materials can be achieved thanks to precisely architecturing internal structures (i.e. meta-structuring). However, relying solely on the meta-structuring limits possibilities in unlocking new properties and functionalities, and can compromise the mechanical performance of meta-materials. In contrast, the metallurgical approach focuses on engineering the natural crystals’ intrinsic microstructure, allowing us to develop metallic alloys with excellent properties and mechanical performance beyond what can be obtained by the alloy composition. Recent advances in additive manufacturing (publicly known as 3D printing) enable a precisely structuring the metallurgical features (from the chemical composition to phases and crystallographic orientations) in addition to meta-structures to specific locations, providing opportunities to go beyond the meta-structuring. In this talk, I will present innovative ways that combine the meta-structuring, metallurgical engineering and additive manufacturing together to create a new class of meta-materials containing self-similar crystal structures with new opportunities of programmable strength, toughness and shape-morphing.