Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Tianzhen Liu, Yuzhen Chen, Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng, Lihua Jin
Summary: The snap-through instability of viscoelastic materials can generate novel pseudo-bistable behavior, where predesigned geometric imperfections play a significant role in controlling structural stability and snap time.
EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Wu, Damiano Pasini
Summary: This study introduces a class of topology-transformable metamaterials that enable in situ activation and deactivation of the snapping capacity, allowing for controlled switching between monotonic, monostable, and bistable snap-through responses. The role played by contact in the topological transformation, increasing the geometry incompatibility and confinement stiffness of selected architectural members, is revealed through theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experiments. The strategy presented here for post-fabrication reprogrammability of matter and on-the-fly response switching paves the way for multifunctionality in various sectors, including mechanical logic gates, adjustable energy dissipators, and in situ adaptable sport equipment.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Eric M. Stewart, Lallit Anand
Summary: This paper presents a continuum finite-deformation theory for magneto-viscoelasticity of hard-magnetic soft-elastomeric materials, which have great potential for applications requiring remote actuation, high flexibility, and low weight. The theory is numerically implemented and successfully used to simulate magnetically-induced snap-through experiments and the reversible snap-through eversion of a hemispherical shell.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Weicheng Huang, Chao Ma, Longhui Qin
Summary: Based on the geometrically nonlinear Kirchhoff rod theory, snap-through behaviors of an asymmetrically clamped ribbon under midpoint loadings are explored through a numerical approach. Multiple different snap-through processes are observed for the elastic ribbons in a 3D scenario, which provides a fundamental understanding of structural mechanics and motivates the designs and applications of engineered systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Junjie Liu, Danming Zhong, Tenghao Yin, Zhe Chen, Binhong Liu, Peng Wang, Shaoxing Qu, Guozheng Kang
Summary: This paper investigates the indentation and puncture of elastomeric membranes, focusing on the effects of indenter tip size, friction, and membrane pre-stretch on indentation depth, puncture force, and shape. Experimental observations include the snap-through instability and shrinkage of lubricated membranes. The theoretical model successfully predicts these phenomena.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Dongdong Wan, Ming Dong, Mengqi Zhang
Summary: This work explains the scaling law of the first Landau coefficient in the derived Ginzburg-Landau equation for axisymmetric viscoelastic pipe flows with large Weissenberg numbers (Wi). A reduced system capturing the characteristics of linear center-mode instability is derived using an asymptotic method. Weakly nonlinear analysis is then conducted using a multiple-scale expansion method, which explains the scaling law of the Landau coefficient and other scaling laws.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Claudio Boni, Gianni Royer-Carfagni
Summary: Flexural tensegrity is a structural concept that ensures the flexural integrity of a chain of segments through the relative rotation of prestressing tendons. Increasing the internal mobility of the tendons inside hollow segments allows for multiple stable equilibrium configurations and complex multi-articulated snap-through motion. The design concept has applications in collapsible-deployable micro- and macro-structures, robotics, and metamaterials with memory.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
S. A. Mohamed, N. Mohamed, M. A. Eltaher
Summary: Bernstein polynomials are used for the first time in studying the nonlinear bending and snap-through instability of geometrically imperfect bioinspired composite beams. The developed model provides a closed form solution for the load-deflection relationship and captures the nonlinear equilibrium path and overcoming limit points. This model has applications in design and control of snap-through response.
Article
Mechanics
Lingling Chen, Kai Tan, Shengyou Yang, Qian Deng
Summary: This paper proposes a strategy for achieving rapid actuation and giant deformation in hard magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) using a flat arch design and snap-through instability. Theoretical models are developed to explain the magnetic-driven instability in MAEs, and experimental observations confirm the theoretical predictions. This research opens up new possibilities for designing multifunctional MAE devices.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Xianheng Guan, Likhitha Reddipalli, Dylan T. Butler, Qihan Liu, Sachin S. Velankar
Summary: This study experimentally demonstrates that a viscoelastic liquid exhibits a creasing instability similar to that of elastic materials, but with strain dependence on the rate of compression. The researchers developed a model to describe the creasing behavior of viscoelastic liquids and validated it through experiments.
EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Mahdi Davoodi, Gemma Houston, Jenna Downie, Monica S. N. Oliveira, Robert J. Poole
Summary: This study investigates two-phase flows of Newtonian and/or viscoelastic fluids in a 'cross-slot' geometry through experimental and numerical methods, showing that injecting two fluids with different elastic properties from each inlet arm can effectively stabilize the purely elastic instability observed downstream from the central cross. The results also indicate that interfacial tension plays a significant role in the shape of the interface of the two fluids near the free-stagnation point, affecting the curvature of streamlines and modifying the purely elastic flow transitions.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Gergely Buza, Miguel Beneitez, Jacob Page, Rich R. Kerswell
Summary: Using branch continuation in the FENE-P model, this study shows that finite-amplitude travelling waves arising from the linear instability of viscoelastic channel flow are substantially subcritical, indicating susceptibility to nonlinear instability triggered by small finite-amplitude disturbances. The results indicate that these travelling waves exist more generally in parameter space than their spawning neutral curve and can influence dynamics far from where the flow is linearly unstable, either directly or indirectly through their instabilities.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Kai Tan, Lingling Chen, Shengyou Yang, Qian Deng
Summary: This paper investigates the dynamic responses of a hard magneto-active arch under different external magnetic fields, and finds that it can undergo rapid configuration change through snap-through instability. This is of great importance for designing robust devices of hard magneto-active elastomers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Lingling Chen, Shengyou Yang
Summary: This paper investigates the electromechanical behaviors of a soft sphere with a cavity and solves the corresponding problem analytically. The results show that the cavity in the soft sphere leads to cavitation and snap-through instability. Increasing the size of the cavity transforms the sphere into a hollow shell with only electro-assisted snap-through instability.
THIN-WALLED STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Kazuki Arakawa, Francesco Giorgio-Serchi, Hiromi Mochiyama
Summary: An actuator capable of generating impulsive flow displacement by exploiting the bistable equilibrium of a snap-through mechanism has been demonstrated. This allows for the abrupt motion of a mechanical system, mimicking the peaked, pulsatile flow encountered in biological systems. Assessment of the actuation stages highlights the significant drop in energy from elastic to hydraulic work, indicating the need for improved design elements during this phase.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2021)
