Nonlinear Elasticity and Metamaterials grOup

Specific mission

The group performs modeling and experimental studies on
1) the elastic properties of complex materials/systems exhibiting anomalous/nonlinear behavior
2) natural or bioinspired materials exhibiting peculiar static/dynamic mechanical properties
3) novel types of acoustic and elastic metamaterials with enhanced functionalities, such as tunability or topological protection.

Main research topics

  • Multi-scale modeling of the elastic properties of compact granular media using discrete multistate (phenomenological) approaches and physical models with local interaction
  • Characterization of elastic and viscous properties of solids through the separation of damping and modulus nonlinearities
  • Application of nonlinear elasticity to the characterization of solid materials, using techniques based on the Scaling Subtraction Method or on Nonlinear Time Reversal and Dynamic AcoustoElastic Testing
  • Design and validation of novel acoustic and elastic metamaterials with special filtering, focusing and waveguiding properties
  • Modeling and characterization of the mechanical properties of biological and bioinspired materials, including fracture, vibration damping, adhesion, friction.
  • Nanoscale characterization of the topographic, elastic and thermal properties by means of Scanning Probe Microscopy techniques

The research aims to identify the physical mechanisms responsible of the observed behaviors in specific physical conditions (e.g. low/high frequencies, large strains, proximity to order transitions, etc.), aiming to reveal features for possible applications in the industrial field. Similarly, practical applications are sought for metamaterial designs, e.g. in low-frequency vibration control, noise abatement, sensing and devices.

Main partnerships

  • M.Griffa, Empa -Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Zurich, Switzerland;
  • N.Pugno, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
  • M. Miniaci, CNRS Lille, France
  • J.Kober, Institute of Thermomechanics, Prague, Czech Republic
  • A. Krushynska, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
  • M. Serra Garcia, AMOLF, The Netherlands

Projects and publications

Reference laboratories

Leader Permanent staff
PhD, Post-docs and Grant researchers