Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications

A novel approach to developing architected metamaterial unit cells has been introduced in the study, drawing inspiration from the structural attributes of bighorn sheep horns. By employing Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) additive manufacturing technology, we fabricated specimens for conducting compression te...

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Main Authors: Sandeep Suresh Babu, Jabir Ubaid, Abdel-Hamid Ismail Mourad, Andreas Schiffer, Mohammad Alkhedher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Virtual and Physical Prototyping
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2524525
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author Sandeep Suresh Babu
Jabir Ubaid
Abdel-Hamid Ismail Mourad
Andreas Schiffer
Mohammad Alkhedher
author_facet Sandeep Suresh Babu
Jabir Ubaid
Abdel-Hamid Ismail Mourad
Andreas Schiffer
Mohammad Alkhedher
author_sort Sandeep Suresh Babu
collection DOAJ
description A novel approach to developing architected metamaterial unit cells has been introduced in the study, drawing inspiration from the structural attributes of bighorn sheep horns. By employing Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) additive manufacturing technology, we fabricated specimens for conducting compression tests on a range of structures. Through experimental evaluations and finite element analysis, we assess the impact of two key geometrical features of the sheep horn – curvature and tapering – on mechanical performance. Our findings reveal that horn-inspired lattice structures improve specific energy absorption by 25.4% compared to similar structures without tapering and curvature and a 52.8% enhancement in specific energy absorption compared to conventional designs, such as Kelvin foam. The unique structural characteristics of bighorn sheep horns provide valuable insights for developing energy-absorbing structures, highlighting their potential for applications that demand efficient energy management in lightweight designs.
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issn 1745-2759
1745-2767
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publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
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series Virtual and Physical Prototyping
spelling doaj-art-90a4223b3ad4404ab6a9b9b5b706070d2025-08-20T03:17:34ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVirtual and Physical Prototyping1745-27591745-27672025-12-0120110.1080/17452759.2025.2524525Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applicationsSandeep Suresh Babu0Jabir Ubaid1Abdel-Hamid Ismail Mourad2Andreas Schiffer3Mohammad Alkhedher4Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, College of Engineering, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAEMechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, College of Engineering, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAEDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, UAEA novel approach to developing architected metamaterial unit cells has been introduced in the study, drawing inspiration from the structural attributes of bighorn sheep horns. By employing Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) additive manufacturing technology, we fabricated specimens for conducting compression tests on a range of structures. Through experimental evaluations and finite element analysis, we assess the impact of two key geometrical features of the sheep horn – curvature and tapering – on mechanical performance. Our findings reveal that horn-inspired lattice structures improve specific energy absorption by 25.4% compared to similar structures without tapering and curvature and a 52.8% enhancement in specific energy absorption compared to conventional designs, such as Kelvin foam. The unique structural characteristics of bighorn sheep horns provide valuable insights for developing energy-absorbing structures, highlighting their potential for applications that demand efficient energy management in lightweight designs.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2524525Energy absorptionimpact resistancemetamaterialsbio-inspirationbiomimicry
spellingShingle Sandeep Suresh Babu
Jabir Ubaid
Abdel-Hamid Ismail Mourad
Andreas Schiffer
Mohammad Alkhedher
Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications
Virtual and Physical Prototyping
Energy absorption
impact resistance
metamaterials
bio-inspiration
biomimicry
title Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications
title_full Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications
title_fullStr Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications
title_full_unstemmed Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications
title_short Bighorn sheep horn-based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications
title_sort bighorn sheep horn based metamaterial lattice structures for targeted energy absorption applications
topic Energy absorption
impact resistance
metamaterials
bio-inspiration
biomimicry
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2524525
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