Researchers have made considerable advancements in a new joining technology called interlocking metasurfaces (ILMs), which aim to enhance the strength and stability of structures compared to conventional methods like bolts and adhesives by utilizing shape memory alloys (SMAs). ILMs have the potential to revolutionize the design of mechanical joints in manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, robotics, and biomedical devices.
Researchers have made significant advancements in a groundbreaking joining technology called interlocking metasurfaces (ILMs). This technology enhances the strength and stability of structures beyond what traditional methods like bolts and adhesives can offer, using shape memory alloys (SMAs). ILMs could reshape how mechanical joints are designed in manufacturing industries, particularly for aerospace, robotics, and biomedical applications.
“ILMs are set to transform joining technologies across various applications, akin to what Velcro did many years ago,” commented Dr. Ibrahim Karaman, head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M. “Working alongside Sandia National Laboratories, the original creators of ILMs, we have engineered and produced ILMs from shape memory alloys. Our research shows that these ILMs can be disengaged and re-engaged selectively, all while maintaining reliable joint strength and structural integrity.”
The findings have been published in Materials & Design.
Much like Legos or Velcro, ILMs allow two objects to be joined together by transferring force and limiting movement. Previously, this joining technique was passive and required an external force to connect.
They utilize nickel-titanium materials that can return to their original shape after being deformed when exposed to temperature changes.
Controlling the joining process through temperature variations opens up new avenues for creating smart, adaptive structures without compromising strength or stability, while also increasing flexibility and functionality.
“Active ILMs could drastically change mechanical joint design in sectors that require precise and repeatable assembly and disassembly,” stated Abdelrahman Elsayed, a graduate research assistant in Texas A&M’s materials science and engineering department.
Potential Applications of ILMs
These innovations could be particularly useful in designing reconfigurable aerospace components, where assembly and disassembly occur frequently. Active ILMs could also lead to more flexible and adaptable joints in robotics, enhancing their capabilities. In the realm of biomedical devices, the ability to modify implants and prosthetics in response to bodily movements and temperatures may offer improved solutions for patients.
The current study took advantage of the shape memory effect in SMAs to enable ILMs to regain their form with the application of heat. The team aspires to further this research by employing the superelasticity property of SMAs to develop ILMs capable of enduring significant deformation and instantly restoring themselves even under extreme stress.
“We believe that integrating SMAs into ILMs could pave the way for numerous future uses, despite the challenges that lie ahead,” said Karaman. “Achieving superelasticity in intricate 3D-printed ILMs will allow for localized adjustments to structural stiffness and facilitate reattachment with considerable locking forces. Furthermore, we anticipate that this technology will help overcome longstanding challenges in joining techniques within extreme conditions. We are very excited about the potential transformative impact of ILM technology.”
Other contributors to this research include Dr. Alaa Elwany, an associate professor in the Wm Michael Barnes ’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and doctoral student Taresh Guleria from the industrial systems and engineering department.
This research is funded through the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the official research agency associated with Texas A&M Engineering.
