From the depths of the engineering department at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) comes an extraordinary scientific breakthrough—the discovery of a new class of matter.
Though scientists are typically cautious about making sweeping claims, laboratory director Chiara Daraio and her team stand by their assertion that they have developed a material that behaves as both a solid and a grain.
Introducing PolyCatenated Architectured Materials (PAMs)
The newly developed materials, named polycatenated architectured materials (PAMs), display an unprecedented duality in behavior. When subjected to compression, they exhibit the rigidity of a crystalline solid. However, under lateral or shear force, they flow like granular substances such as sand or rice, dynamically reorganizing their structure to accommodate motion.
In essence, PAMs function similarly to an auto-locking seatbelt. When a force is applied in one direction, they resist deformation like a solid. But when the force is removed, they return to a more fluid-like state. This unique quality makes them a revolutionary discovery in material science.
Challenging Conventional Classifications of Matter
“We all have a clear distinction in mind when we think of solid materials and granular matter,” Daraio explained to Caltech Press. “Solid materials are often described as crystalline lattices. This is what you see in the classic ball-and-stick models of atomic, chemical, or larger crystalline structures.”
Traditional materials can generally be categorized as either solids or granular matter. Solids have a fixed, ordered structure, whereas granular materials, such as flour, coffee grounds, or sand, consist of discrete particles that move freely relative to one another. However, PAMs disrupt this binary classification.
“With PAMs, the individual particles are linked as they are in crystalline structures, and yet, because these particles are free to move relative to one another, they flow, they slide on top of each other, and they change their relative positions, more like grains of sand,” Daraio elaborated.
The Science Behind PAMs
To create this novel material, the research team used advanced computer modeling to design a lattice structure that resembles a traditional solid but incorporates linked particles instead of fixed ones. This structural adjustment allows for dynamic movement and adaptability, offering an almost infinite number of configurations.
The concept behind PAMs shares similarities with medieval chainmail armor, which was designed to resist slashing forces while dispersing energy. Likewise, PAMs combine the strength of a rigid structure with the flexibility of a fluid-like system, making them highly versatile.
From Theory to Reality: The Role of 3D Printing
Bringing PAMs to life required extensive experimentation with various materials, ranging from acrylic polymers to metals. Using 3D printing technology, the team at Daraio’s lab fabricated the materials and subjected them to rigorous testing.
“We started with compression, compressing the objects a bit harder each time. Then we tried a simple shear, a lateral force, like what you would apply if you were trying to tear the material apart,” explained Wenjie Zhou, a postdoctoral scholar in Daraio’s lab.
“Finally, we did rheology tests, seeing how the materials responded to twisting, first slowly and then more quickly and strongly,” Zhou added. These tests confirmed that PAMs exhibit both solid-like and granular behaviors, depending on the applied force.
The Future of PAMs: Potential Applications
Daraio herself described PAMs as a truly “new class of matter,” emphasizing their versatility.
The potential applications of this discovery are vast. Some of the most promising fields include:
- Soft Robotics: PAMs could be used to create highly adaptable robotic structures that change their form based on external forces, enabling advanced mobility and functionality.
- Biomedical Technology: Their dynamic nature makes them ideal for medical implants, prosthetics, and drug delivery systems that need to conform to various physical conditions.
- Protective Gear and Equipment: From helmets to body armor, PAMs could revolutionize impact-resistant materials by providing superior energy absorption and distribution.
- Insulative Materials: The ability to transition between rigid and flexible states could be beneficial in designing temperature-responsive insulative materials for aerospace and industrial applications.
A New Era in Material Science
The discovery of PAMs represents a monumental shift in our understanding of matter. By seamlessly blending the characteristics of solids and granular materials, these revolutionary substances have the potential to reshape various industries. As research and development continue, the world will likely see PAMs integrated into everything from robotics to medical devices, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in material science.
With their remarkable ability to behave as both solid and grain, PAMs exemplify the power of innovation at the intersection of physics, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. As scientists further explore their properties and applications, this discovery may well usher in a new era of material science and engineering.
Take a look at this incredible material in the video below:
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