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Title: Manipulating waves with LEGO{sup ®} bricks: A versatile experimental platform for metamaterial architectures

Abstract

In this letter, we discuss a versatile, fully reconfigurable experimental platform for the investigation of phononic phenomena in metamaterial architectures. The approach revolves around the use of 3D laser vibrometry to reconstruct global and local wavefield features in specimens obtained through simple arrangements of LEGO{sup ®} bricks on a thin baseplate. The agility by which it is possible to reconfigure the brick patterns into a nearly endless spectrum of topologies makes this an effective approach for rapid experimental proof of concept, as well as a powerful didactic tool, in the arena of phononic crystals and metamaterials engineering. We use our platform to provide a compelling visual illustration of important spatial wave manipulation effects (waveguiding and seismic isolation), and to elucidate fundamental dichotomies between Bragg-based and locally resonant bandgap mechanisms.

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22489149
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Applied Physics Letters
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 107; Journal Issue: 8; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; CRYSTALS; ENGINEERING; LASERS; METAMATERIALS; SEISMIC ISOLATION; SPECTRA; TOPOLOGY

Citation Formats

Celli, Paolo, and Gonella, Stefano. Manipulating waves with LEGO{sup ®} bricks: A versatile experimental platform for metamaterial architectures. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1063/1.4929566.
Celli, Paolo, & Gonella, Stefano. Manipulating waves with LEGO{sup ®} bricks: A versatile experimental platform for metamaterial architectures. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4929566
Celli, Paolo, and Gonella, Stefano. 2015. "Manipulating waves with LEGO{sup ®} bricks: A versatile experimental platform for metamaterial architectures". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4929566.
@article{osti_22489149,
title = {Manipulating waves with LEGO{sup ®} bricks: A versatile experimental platform for metamaterial architectures},
author = {Celli, Paolo and Gonella, Stefano},
abstractNote = {In this letter, we discuss a versatile, fully reconfigurable experimental platform for the investigation of phononic phenomena in metamaterial architectures. The approach revolves around the use of 3D laser vibrometry to reconstruct global and local wavefield features in specimens obtained through simple arrangements of LEGO{sup ®} bricks on a thin baseplate. The agility by which it is possible to reconfigure the brick patterns into a nearly endless spectrum of topologies makes this an effective approach for rapid experimental proof of concept, as well as a powerful didactic tool, in the arena of phononic crystals and metamaterials engineering. We use our platform to provide a compelling visual illustration of important spatial wave manipulation effects (waveguiding and seismic isolation), and to elucidate fundamental dichotomies between Bragg-based and locally resonant bandgap mechanisms.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4929566},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22489149}, journal = {Applied Physics Letters},
issn = {0003-6951},
number = 8,
volume = 107,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Aug 24 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Mon Aug 24 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}