Bio-Inspired Quasi-Zero-Stiffness Metamaterials for Vibration Attenuation, Battery Protection and Long-Term Durability

  • Ravanbod, Shawn (Nottingham Trent University)
  • Rahmani, Kaveh (Nottingham Trent University)
  • Bodaghi, Mahdi (Nottingham Trent University)

Please login to view abstract download link

This research introduces a sustainable, bio-inspired mechanical metamaterial designed to tackle low-frequency noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), which is known to damage battery performance and safety. Inspired by the mechanics of a grasshopper’s jumping leg, the 3D-printed structure utilises a quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) approach to overcome the limitations of traditional isolators [1, 2], such as bulkiness, limited functional ranges, and manufacturing complexity. The proposed metamaterial is developed using an AI-driven inverse design approach to simultaneously maximise plateau band and static stiffness while maintaining a compact structural volume. In addition, A hybrid design strategy integrating nonlinear structural optimisation with nonlinear material reinforcement is introduced. This leads to the development of a reinforced bio-composite that replicates the hyper-elastic and energy-dissipative behaviour of a grasshopper’s leg. Results show that thermoplastic (TPU) reinforced with 2.5 wt.% eggshell powder (EGS) increases tensile stiffness by 38%, energy dissipation by 27%, and reduces printing shrinkage by 35%, while preserving large-deformation hyper-elastic recoverability. Furthermore, this work establishes the first systematic framework for assessing long-term QZS reliability, including fatigue, creep, and thermal performance. Multiple architectural configurations are investigated to support adaptability across industries. Also, vibration tests demonstrate that the proposed meta-structures exhibit acceptable vibration isolation properties in low-frequency ranges. Finally, the proposed printed QZS metamaterials are utilised to mitigate vibration-induced effects on the battery performance. Empirical validation as an automotive vibration isolator confirms the system’s efficacy in preserving battery capacity and voltage stability under dynamic loading. Enabled by programmable QZS properties, the proposed bio-inspired metamaterials deliver durable vibration isolation under long-term loading and elevated-temperature conditions. The proposed metamaterials are an eco-friendly and reliable solution for protecting sensitive electronics.