Guided Energy Absorption with Crumpled Polymer Sheets
Abstract
The design of next-generation lightweight materials having tunable stiffness and toughness is essential for load-bearing and load-guiding applications. Most available lightweight materials do not yet provide enough capacity for energy absorption or the adaptability necessary to protect soft objects from being damaged under impact. Recent advances in crumpled matter - materials based on sheet-like constituent materials jammed in complex shapes - show great promise in achieving excellent load-bearing capabilities. Despite progress being made, predicting the mechanical performance of crumpled sheet materials is challenging due to a lack of fundamental understanding of deformational mechanisms which occur across multiple scales because of the complex hierarchical structure. Rooted in this context, this proposal aims to understand and predict the basic energy absorption capabilities of crumpled polymeric sheets under both non-ballistic and ballistic impact conditions. This goal will be pursued by integrating direct experimental measurements and multiscale modeling to establish a materials-by-design framework for deformational response of targeted materials and by delineating the underlying Òparameter-structure-propertyÓ relationships. A key focus of the proposed work is to investigate materials at all levels of hierarchy Ð from molecular to macroscopic Ð in order to identify the fundamental causes of energy dissipation as well as its size dependency in the crumpled system. It is anticipated that the success of this work will open doors to the exploitation of new, dynamic energy-loss mechanisms in the design of thin-film based material systems. Specifically, we investigate the role of material dynamics, adhesion, and film topography in energy loss during film compaction. This fundamental understanding of interface, adhesion, and structure/geometry across multiple scales will enable crumpled materials to provide a tunable rigidity, lightweight and energy absorbing platform capable of surviving and protecting cargo in the extreme environments and from the damage relevant to military activities. The proposed project will contribute to the local and national economy and prepare our students and young generations for interdisciplinary skill set in STEM fields relevant to the mission of the Army Research Office.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 09, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010208
Entities
People
- Andrew B Croll
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- North Dakota State University
- United States Army