Topology Optimization for Architected Materials Design

TLDR

Advanced manufacturing allows precise fabrication of architected materials, yet optimal design for application, material, and process specifics is needed, and computational topology optimization offers a systematic, mathematically driven framework to meet this challenge. The article reviews key requirements for applying topology optimization to materials architecture design and discusses fundamental findings for elastic, thermal, and fluidic properties in periodic materials. The design problem is formulated and solved as an optimization problem that embeds unit cell and upscaling mechanics within the formulation. Key findings include optimization of elastic, thermal, and fluidic properties in periodic materials, and emerging areas such as manufacturability, nonlinear mechanics, and multiscale design.

Abstract

Advanced manufacturing processes provide a tremendous opportunity to fabricate materials with precisely defined architectures. To fully leverage these capabilities, however, materials architectures must be optimally designed according to the target application, base material used, and specifics of the fabrication process. Computational topology optimization offers a systematic, mathematically driven framework for navigating this new design challenge. The design problem is posed and solved formally as an optimization problem with unit cell and upscaling mechanics embedded within this formulation. This article briefly reviews the key requirements to apply topology optimization to materials architecture design and discusses several fundamental findings related to optimization of elastic, thermal, and fluidic properties in periodic materials. Emerging areas related to topology optimization for manufacturability and manufacturing variations, nonlinear mechanics, and multiscale design are also discussed.