Multifaceted mechanical responsive metamaterials: Mechanisms, fabrications, and applications

Public summary

* This review explores mechanical responsive metamaterials that respond to external stimuli such as heat, electricity, and light.

* It highlights the materials and mechanisms enabling stimulus-driven deformations or functional transformations.

* Advanced fabrication methods such as injection molding, 3D printing, and micro/nanoprocessing are discussed.

* Applications across robotics, biomedical devices, adaptive communication, and beyond are examined.

Abstract

Mechanically responsive metamaterials, with their unique structural and functional advantages, have emerged as a key focus in interdisciplinary research spanning materials science, mechanics, and bionics. In this review, we begin with an in-depth analysis of the fundamental materials that constitute mechanically responsive metamaterials, exploring key driving mechanisms such as thermal, electrothermal, electrochemical, photo-responsive, and magnetic responses. By elucidating these underlying principles, we aim to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of how these responsive behaviors are achieved. The review then systematically evaluates various fabrication methods tailored to specific material properties and structural design requirements, offering a critical analysis of the unique advantages and limitations of each approach. Furthermore, the review highlights the current applications of these fabrication techniques across different fields of mechanical metamaterials, providing a comprehensive overview of their practical implementation and potential.