Monitoring the statics and stability of structures requires maximum precision. This is precisely where the innovative metamaterial from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) comes in. This metamaterial, with artificially produced structures, exhibits exceptional elongation properties that conventional materials do not offer. Developed by a research team led by Professor Martin Wegener, the material can “communicate” forces and deformations over large distances, which was previously considered unthinkable in structural monitoring.
Overcoming local limitations
Metamaterials were previously limited to local interactions. The new material from KIT, however, enables the building blocks to interact with each other over long distances. Dr Yi Chen from KIT compares this property to “direct communication” within the material. A development that could revolutionise materials research and structural monitoring. This new type of structure opens up the possibility of monitoring buildings over a large area and reacting to structural changes at an early stage.
Unusual elongation properties for greater safety
One remarkable feature of this metamaterial is its reaction to elongation. It exhibits uneven expansion and compression in different sections. Unlike materials such as rubber, compression even occurs in some areas, which can indicate specific loads. These high sensitivity properties of the material make it ideal for engineering teams to closely monitor critical areas of a structure and react proactively to changes.
More than construction monitoring
The high sensitivity of the metamaterial opens up new possibilities not only in the construction industry, but also in biotechnology. The ability to precisely measure forces over large areas could also be used to characterise cell forces or for biological applications. The development therefore not only advances structural monitoring, but also offers new approaches in biological research.
