An origami-inspired design of highly efficient cellular cushion materials

Ahmed S. Dalaq, Shadi Khazaaleh, Mohammed F. Daqaq

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Current architectured cellular cushion materials rely mainly on damage and/or unpredictable collapse of their unit cells to absorb and dissipate energy under impact. This prevents shape recovery and produces undesirable force fluctuations that limit reusability and reduce energy absorption efficiency. Here, we propose to combine advanced manufacturing technologies with Origami principles to create a new class of architectured cellular viscoelastic cushion material which combines low weight and high energy absorption efficiency with damage resistance and full behavior customization. Each unit cell in the proposed material is inspired by the Kresling Origami topology, which absorbs impact energy by gracefully folding the different interfaces forming the cell to create axial and rotational motions. A large part of the absorbed energy is then dissipated through viscoelasticity and friction between the interfaces. The result is a nearly ideal cushion material exhibiting high energy absorbing efficiency (∼ 70%) combined with high energy dissipation (94% of the absorbed energy). The material is also tunable for optimal performance, reliable despite successive impact events, and achieves full shape recovery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number101835
JournalApplied Materials Today
Volume32
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2023

Keywords

  • Absorption
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Architectured material
  • Impact
  • Kresling pattern
  • Origami

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An origami-inspired design of highly efficient cellular cushion materials'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this