Bio-inspired structural design improves impact resistance and energy absorption

The delicate butterfly served as the inspiration for a new lightweight lattice structure that also boasts enhanced mechanical strength, impact resistance, and energy absorption capability through advanced structural design. A collaborative research team from Tohoku University and the Wuhan University of Technology developed this strong yet light-as-a-butterfly material with the hopes of one day using it for airplanes or earthquake-resistant infrastructure. The work is published in the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences.