For various engineering and industrial applications it is desirable to realize mechanical systems with broadly adjustable elasticity to respond flexibly to the external environment. Here we discover a topology-correlated transition between affine and non-affine regimes in elasticity in both two- and three-dimensional packing-derived networks. Based on this transition, we numerically design and experimentally realize multifunctional systems with adjustable elasticity. Within one system, we achieve solid-like affine response, liquid-like non-affine response and a continuous tunability in between. Moreover, the system also exhibits a broadly tunable Poisson’s ratio from positive to negative values, which is of practical interest for energy absorption and for fracture-resistant materials. Our study reveals a fundamental connection between elasticity and network topology, and demonstrates its practical potential for designing mechanical systems and metamaterials [1]. If time allows, I will also talk about invisible hydrodynamic metamaterials developped in our lab [2].
 

[1] Xu et al., Nature Materials 20, 1635–1642, 2021.
[2] Xu et al., PNAS 119, no. 49, e2207630119, 2022.

Please contact phweb@ust.hk should you have questions about the talk.