Projects / Programmes
Design of Cellular Structures
January 1, 2022
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.11.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanical design |
|
| 2.05.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
engineering design; cellular structures and materials; metamaterials; geometrical characterisation; quasi-static, dynamic and cyclic mechanical loading; multi-scale computer modelling and simulation; advanced experimental testing
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
September 19, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
400 |
6,917 |
5,745 |
14.36 |
| Scopus |
506 |
8,614 |
7,241 |
14.31 |
Researchers (22)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The research programme objective is to continue to perform frontier research of cellular structure designs on different length scales for their broader use in the next generation of engineering (lightweight structures, energy absorbers), medical (vascular stents and scaffolds), sports (cellular textiles, vibration mitigation) and other products. The research programme will make significant advances in design, production technology, geometrical and mechanical characterisation of new metamaterials with cellular structures at micro and subsequently nano-level in the next funding period with the efficient application of theoretical, analytical, experimental, and computational research methods. The research will focus on developing new cellular metamaterials designs with specifically tailored (individualised) mechanical properties (stiffness, damping, energy absorption, etc.) by a careful combination of cell topology and morphology with efficient use of (multi)material combinations to achieve their best structural and functional performance in new products with advanced multifunctional properties. New 3D multi-scale cellular designs with specific properties (e.g. iso- or orthotropic auxetic) will be developed using our own improved 3D topological optimisation algorithms. All new designs will be fabricated using available state-of-the-art technologies and will be thoroughly geometrically and mechanically characterised. We will adapt, upgrade, and propose new characterisation methodologies using improved testing rigs supported by advanced computational capabilities and an AI-supported analysis system throughout the entire research process. The research tasks are organised in five work packages: WP1 - Design of new cellular structures, WP2 - Advanced geometrical characterisation, WP3 - Extended mechanical characterisation, WP4 - (Multi)functional applications, WP5 - Management, dissemination, intellectual property rights. The research programme group has the outstanding composition to ensure long-term quality execution of all research tasks. Experienced senior researchers, each an expert in a relevant research field, constitute about half of the group. The other half are junior researchers, post-docs, and PhD students, working under senior researchers' supervision and guidance in their respective research fields. The research programme operates or has available state-of-the-art on-site equipment necessary to implement all research tasks successfully. Any additional research equipment needed is at our disposal without additional cost at collaborating research institutions in Slovenia or abroad. The research programme is fully aligned with the Smart Specialisation of the Republic of Slovenia (SPS S4) Development of Materials as End Products and Natural and Traditional Resources for the Future - Networks for the Transition to a Circular Economy.
Significance for science
The planned research in the coming period is crucial for the development of science from multiple perspectives. Primarily, research will focus on investigations of advanced cellular structures, which are increasingly being used in modern engineering. The development of capabilities to predict their response to various operating conditions and optimise their structure are fundamental for their more extensive use in the future. Comprehensive research work is focused on the achievement of internationally comparable research results that follow European and global research trends or are even defining them in some respects (controlled spatially variable porosity, advanced 3D digital image correlation). This research program's outcome will contribute significantly to the advancement of science in the field of geometric and mechanical characterisation of cellular structures and will consequently contribute to developing new, advanced cellular materials and structures. Technological advances in the production of cellular structures in the future will allow for more controlled morphology and topology of pores, which will contribute to the design of optimal engineering and other structures. The planned development of new, multi-material composites with controlled porosity and improved functional properties follows world trends. Significant contributions to science in design methodology of machine parts and structures made of cellular structures will be made through the development and construction of the test equipment for testing the cellular structure and the related development of computational models for predictions of their loading capacity, service life and reliability. A general tool for automatic evaluation of cellular structures' geometrical parameters will constitute a significant breakthrough in cellular structures analysis. Newly developed geometry and computer simulation models of cellular structures and the implementation of large-scale parametric computer simulations on the powerful HPC server system will contribute to a better understanding of cellular structures behaviour under different operating regimes, which will further serve for making design recommendations. With the appropriate design and application of an intelligent support environment, we expect new scientific discoveries, which will allow for further development of engineering application solutions.
Significance for the country
The outcomes of the research programme will be significant for the regional and general development of the profession and engineering practice since the systematic transfer of knowledge will enable Slovenian and European companies to gain access to knowledge and modern tools for the development of new products with cellular structures, which will significantly increase their global competitiveness. Performed characterisation of various cellular structures and established design recommendations for their use in conjunction with the developed intelligent support environment will enable a fast and cost-effective way of goal-driven design and development of high-quality, innovative products with high added value, particularly for the automotive industry. The research programme also involves several young researchers, which contributes to the education and formation of future top experts. It is envisaged that domestic manufacturers of aluminium products will become strategic suppliers of advanced aluminium products upon cooperation with the research team to support their adoption of new manufacturing technologies of cellular structures with variable porosity. The same is expected in various plastic products and textiles, where the number of potentially interested companies is much more extensive. Research in cellular textiles will contribute to the preservation of jobs in textile companies that have already restructured their operations to develop and produce technical textiles. Cellular structures with controlled and optimised topology and morphology of cells are also instrumental in medicine (e.g. various implants, supporting elements, etc.) and will help relieve the ageing population's problems and contribute to a healthier life, which is essential both for the Slovenian and European society. The research programme findings show that filling relevant voids in vehicles with cellular structures also helps to absorb as much as two times more impact energy in a collision, thus reducing the vehicle occupants' deceleration and thereby increasing their safety. The research of advanced cellular structures is thus of utmost potential importance for society. The research programme has already established broad multi-national research cooperation with many international research partners leading to the pragmatic international division of research, which is in some areas also steered by the research programme group (geometric characterisation and advanced computer simulations of cellular structures). The research programme will organise some of the primary global professional-scientific conferences in the field of cellular structures in Slovenia in the coming years, thus significantly contributing to the promotion of Slovenia.
