Research summary
Global concerns about energy production and environmental pollution are creating a need to develop adaptable energy-efficient materials. Metamaterials could be the answer. They’re a cutting-edge class of ultralight smart materials that are inspired by biological systems where structural properties are integrated with sensing, actuating and self-healing. The unrivalled properties of multifunctional metamaterials stem from their intricate underlying architecture coupled with the multiphysical properties of their components. However, designing most smart metamaterials has traditionally relied on intuition.
As Canada Research Chair in Programmable Multifunctional Metamaterials, Dr. Abdolhamid Akbarzadeh Shafaroudi is establishing a platform for the systematic and automated design and manufacture of active multifunctional metamaterials with controllable and (re)programmable properties. Ultimately, he and his research team aim to develop (re)programmable metamaterials that offer cost-effective solutions for realizing self-powered sensors and actuators as well as smart components for the Internet of things, soft robots and intelligent infrastructure.