Design, Fabrication and Performance of Lattice Structures and Cellular Materials
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanics of Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 60
Special Issue Editors
Interests: shape memory alloys; sensor and actuators; light-weight alloys; materials characterization; mechanical testing; welding; plastic deformation; porous materials; metal matrix composites; metal foams; aluminum alloys
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: aluminium alloys; mechanical testing; porous materials; shape memory alloys; metal matrix composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Lattice structures and cellular materials represent a frontier in advanced manufacturing and materials design. Characterized by their high strength-to-weight ratios, excellent energy absorption capabilities, and multifunctional properties, these architected materials are increasingly critical in industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to biomedical engineering. Recent advances in additive manufacturing and computational design have unlocked unprecedented control over their topology, enabling the creation of complex, multi-scale architectures that were previously impossible to fabricate.
This Special Issue aims to collate cutting-edge research that explores the entire lifecycle of these materials—from initial conceptual design to final performance characterization. We seek contributions that push the boundaries of mechanical performance, develop novel fabrication methodologies, and establish a deeper understanding of the structure–property relationships that govern their behavior. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art and to identify future directions for the rational design and application of lattice structures and cellular materials.
Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:
- Design Methodologies: Topology optimization, generative design, and bio-inspired design strategies for periodic and stochastic cellular structures.
- Fabrication Techniques: Advances in additive manufacturing (e.g., laser powder bed fusion, electron beam melting, stereolithography), casting, and other novel processing routes.
- Mechanical Performance: Quasi-static and dynamic behavior, including stiffness, strength, fatigue, fracture toughness, and energy absorption.
- Multifunctional Properties: Thermal and acoustic insulation, heat transfer management, permeability, and their integration with mechanical functions.
- Material Systems: Metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and composite lattice structures.
- Characterization & Modeling: Experimental mechanics, in situ testing, analytical models, and computational simulations (e.g., finite element analysis) to predict performance.
- Applications: Case studies and applied research in lightweight structural components, biomedical implants, impact mitigators, and thermal management devices.
Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.
Dr. Girolamo Costanza
Dr. Maria Elisa Tata
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- lattice structures
- cellular materials
- additive manufacturing
- mechanical properties
- energy absorption
- topology optimization
- architected materials
- lightweight structures
- finite element analysis
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

