Computational Simulations of Polycatenated Metamaterials

• Grant number: 25/06328-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Fontes da Fonseca
• Grantee: Mateus Maciel Vivaldi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/14403-4 - A Computational Study of Metamaterials, Architected Materials and Functional Devices, AP.R

Abstract

In 2021, a paper published in Nature reported the findings of a study on two-dimensional polycatenated materials, the stiffness of which was controlled by pressure. A recent preprint from the same research group reported the results on three-dimensional polycatenated metamaterials (PAMs), which have since been published in the January 17, 2025, issue of Science. These materials are formed by connecting rings of varying sizes and shapes, with the connectivity determined by crystal lattice models. A distinguishing feature of these materials is their ability to exhibit both solid and fluid-like behaviors, a phenomenon that sets them apart from other known materials. The present project entails the computational study of the structure and dynamics of PAMs. The objective of this study is to investigate the dependence of these structures' properties on geometric parameters, external forces, and other factors. Given the Supervisor/Proposer's established connection with the group that pioneered the development of PAMs, meaningful comparisons can be made between the theoretical outcomes and experimental results.