Search Results (154)

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures provide high surface area to volume ratios and tunable conduction pathways, but predicting their thermal behavior across different metallic materials remains challenging because multi-material experimentation is costly and full-scale simulations require extremely fine meshes to resolve the complex geometry. This study develops a physics-informed neural network (PINN) that reconstructs steady-state temperature fields in TPMS Gyroid structures using only two experimentally measured materials, Aluminum and Silver, which were tested under identical heat flux and flow conditions. The model incorporates conductivity ratio physics, Fourier-based thermal scaling, and complete spatial temperature profiles directly into the learning process to maintain physical consistency. Validation using the complete Aluminum and Silver datasets confirms excellent agreement for Aluminum and strong accuracy for Silver despite its larger temperature gradients. Once trained, the PINN can generalize the learned behavior to nine additional metals using only their conductivity ratios, without requiring new experiments or numerical simulations. A detailed heat transfer analysis is also performed for Magnesium, a lightweight material that is increasingly considered for thermal management applications. Since no published TPMS measurements for Magnesium currently exist, the predicted Nusselt numbers obtained from the PINN-generated temperature fields represent the first model-based evaluation of its convective performance. The results demonstrate that the proposed PINN provides an efficient, accurate, and scalable surrogate model for predicting thermal behavior across multiple metallic TPMS structures and supports the design and selection of materials for advanced porous heat technologies. Full article

Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures, with their zero average curvature, excellent energy absorption properties, high specific strength and high surface-to-volume ratio, could be used in a wide range of applications, such as the creation of lightweight and durable structures, grafts and implants. In this study, an internal TPMS structure inspiring trabecular bone and an external TPMS structure inspiring cortical bone were combined with infill density and topologically functionally graded to obtain hybrid structures. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of functional grading on mechanical properties, energy absorption capacity and surface/volume (S/V) ratio and to determine the best combination. The novelty of the study is to obtain hybrid structures close to bone structures with a functional grading approach. The experimental design of the study was performed using the Design of Experiment (DoE) approach and the Taguchi method. Specimens were created according to the established experimental design and fabricated using a Masked Stereolithography (mSLA)-type 3D printer with bio-resin. The fabricated structures were subjected to compression tests; the results were examined in terms of deformation behavior, first peak, maximum force, energy absorption, specific energy absorption and S/V ratio. The optimal structures for defined input parameters were determined using signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios and ANOVA results. Deformations for diamond and primitive specimens began as shear band formation. Deformations for Neovius structures were mostly as brittle fracture. The highest first peak of 18.96 kN was obtained with the DN specimens, while the highest maximum force of 23.77 kN was obtained with the ND specimens. The best energy absorption property was also obtained with ND. The highest S/V ratio was 5.65 in the GP specimens. The statistical analyses were in accordance with the experimental results. Infill density increases decreased the S/V ratio while increasing all other parameters. This demonstrated the importance of mechanical-strength/porosity optimization for bone scaffold surrogate applications in this study. Full article

With the trend toward integrated development in electric vehicles, thermal management components are becoming more compact and highly integrated. This evolution, however, leads to complex spatial layouts of high- and low-temperature fluid circuits, causing localized heat accumulation and unintended heat transfer between channels, which compromises cooling efficiency. Concurrently, these compact components must possess sufficient mechanical strength to withstand operational loads such as vibration. Therefore, designing structures that simultaneously suppress heat transfer and ensure mechanical intensity presents a critical challenge. This study introduces Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) and Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) lattice structures as multifunctional solutions to address the undesired heat transfer and mechanical support requirements. Their thermal and mechanical performances are analyzed, and a feedforward neural network model is developed based on CFD simulations to map key structural parameters to thermal and mechanical outputs. A dual-objective optimization approach is then applied to identify optimal structural parameters that balance thermal and mechanical requirements. Validation via CFD confirms that the neural network-based optimization effectively achieves a trade-off between heat transfer suppression and structural strength, providing a reliable design methodology for integrated thermal management systems. Full article

Biocompatible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) added at concentrations of 10, 15, and 20 wt.% relative to PLA, and then processed into gyroid triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) scaffolds using fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing. The influence of PEG concentration and gyroid structure (50% infill density) on thermal transitions, crystallinity, and low–temperature shape-memory performance was systematically investigated. The shape-memory effect (SME) of the PLA–based scaffolds was tailored through compositional control and structural design. Shape recovery under thermal activation at 40 °C and 50 °C was examined to reveal the correlation between composition and structure in governing low–temperature shape-memory behavior. The optimal composition (PLA/10 PEG, 50% gyroid infill) achieved shape recovery with a recovery ratio (R_r) of 97 ± 1% at 40 °C within 6 ± 1 min, demonstrating optimal shape-memory activation close to physiological temperature. Structural and morphological changes were characterized using ATR–FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, DSC, XRD, and SEM, providing comprehensive insight into the plasticization of the PLA matrix and its impact on structure–property relationships relevant to bone tissue engineering. Full article

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become indispensable tools, playing a pivotal role in diverse applications such as rescue missions, agricultural surveying, and air defense. They significantly reduce operational costs while enhancing operator safety, enabling new strategies across multiple domains. The growing demand for UAVs calls for structural components that are not only robust and lightweight, but also cost-efficient. This research introduces a novel approach that employs a pressure distribution map on the external surface of a UAV wing to optimize its internal structure through a variable-thickness TPMS (Triply Periodic Minimal Surface) design. Beyond structural optimization, the study explores a second novel approach with the use of filaments containing chemical blowing agents printed at different temperatures for both the infill and shell, producing varying porosities. As a result, the tailoring of density and weight is achieved through two different methods, and case studies were developed by combining them. Compared to the conventionally manufactured wing, a weight reduction of up to 7% was achieved while the wing could handle the aerodynamic loads under extreme conditions. Beyond enabling lightweight structures, the process has the potential to be substantially faster and more cost-effective, eliminating the need for molds and advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber sheets. Full article

A Machine Learning (ML)-based surrogate modeling framework is presented for mapping structure–property relationships in architected Ti6Al4V cylindrical TPMS metamaterials subjected to quasi-static compression. A Python–nTop pipeline automatically generated 3456 cylindrical shell lattices (Gyroid, Diamond, Split-P), and ABAQUS/Explicit simulations with a Johnson–Cook failure model for Ti6Al4V quantified their mechanical response. From 3024 valid designs, key mechanical properties targets including elastic modulus (E), yield stress (Y), ultimate strength (U), plateau stress (PL), and energy absorption (EA) were extracted alongside geometric descriptors such as surface area (SA), surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA/VR), and relative density (RD). A multi-output surrogate model (feedforward neural network) trained on the simulated set accurately predicts these properties directly from seven design parameters (thickness; unit cell counts in X, Y, and Z directions; unit cell orientation; height; diameter), enabling rapid property estimation across large design spaces. Topology-dependent trends indicate that Split-P exhibits the highest strength, energy absorption, and total SA, and shows the largest variation in SA/VR; Gyroid exhibits the lowest SA with a moderate SA/VR; and Diamond is the most compliant lattice and maintains a higher SA/VR than Gyroid despite lower SA. RD increases with both SA and SA/VR across all topologies. The framework provides a reusable computational tool for architectured lattices, enabling quick prescreening of implant designs without repeated finite-element analyses. Full article

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) are mathematically defined minimal surfaces that exhibit zero mean curvature and repeat periodically along all three Cartesian axes. They integrate mathematically defined geometry with extensive functional adjustability. Their smooth, non-self-intersecting topology enables systematic control over relative density and improves load transfer efficiency within the lattice. Their large surface area-to-volume ratios further enhance specific energy absorption (SEA) and enable diverse functional uses. Recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have made it easier to create TPMS structures. As a result, they are now considered as the architected materials that combine biological, thermal, and mechanical functions within a single framework. This study presents a comprehensive overview of the major TPMS structures. It further highlights several AM techniques used for their fabrication and provides a critical evaluation of how geometric design, relative density, and post-processing influence their mechanical and thermal performances. This work also discusses recent developments in graded and hybrid TPMS structures. It further identifies the main challenges and future research directions related to multi-material additive manufacturing and data-driven topology optimization. Full article

The development of composite materials with tunable dielectric properties that preserve mechanical performance is essential for next-generation radio engineering devices. In this study, composite filaments based on acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) with 0–40 wt.% TiO₂ solid loading were developed for 3D printing. The dielectric permittivity and mechanical properties of the 3D-printed parts strongly depend on the TiO₂ content. Using these filaments, we fabricated biomimetic lattices based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs) using fused filament fabrication (FFF). The intrinsic porosity of the TPMS lattices further enables tuning of dielectric permittivity, facilitating their integration into gradient-index components. This multifunctionality was demonstrated by fabricating a spherical Luneburg lens prototype, which exhibited stable antenna performance in the 8.0–12.5 GHz frequency range. The results confirm that TPMS lattices based on the ABS-TiO₂ composite can simultaneously deliver mechanical robustness and dielectric tunability, opening new pathways toward multifunctional components for advanced radio engineering systems and beyond. Full article

This research numerically investigates the cooling performance of Diamond-type triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) networks as a gas turbine effusion cooling layer, augmented with various jet impingement configurations. The study analyzes the internal and external flow characteristics, pressure loss, and overall cooling effectiveness using conjugate heat transfer simulations. The Diamond design is compared to conventional film cooling and micro-hole models within a blowing ratio range of 0.5 to 2.0. The jet hole diameter and jet-to-plate distance are varied to identify an optimal double-wall cooling configuration. The results reveal that the Diamond hole mitigates the strong discharge of coolant, resulting in a more adherent cooling film, which provides excellent surface coverage. While jet impingement enhances internal heat transfer, its contribution to cooling effectiveness is minor compared to the benefit of film coverage. At an equivalent total pressure loss coefficient, the Diamond with impinging jets demonstrates 101% higher cooling effectiveness than the film hole. The thermal-mechanical analysis indicates that the Diamond model exhibits a more uniform distribution of thermal stress and displacement. The average stress is reduced by 44.7% compared to the film hole. This work confirms the TPMS-based effusion as an advanced cooling solution for next-generation gas turbines. Full article

This work presents a comparative study on the mechanical homogenisation of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) lattice structures in the linear elastic regime, which have attracted significant interest for their unique ability to combine lightweight design with tailored properties. The study investigates the effective mechanical behaviour of Representative Unit Cells (RUCs) generated using the open-source Python tool Microgen. Two homogenisation strategies are considered: (i) Finite Element (FE)-based homogenisation carried out in Abaqus, and (ii) the Mechanics of Structure Genome (MSG), a unified theory for multi-scale constitutive modelling, implemented in an in-house software tool. The comparison encompasses multiple TPMS topologies, including well-studied cases used for validation, namely gyroid and diamond, as well as less-explored ones, such as PMY and F-Rhombic Dodecahedron, to provide new insights. RUCs are analysed across relative densities ranging from 10 to 50%. Equivalent linear elastic properties (Young’s moduli, shear moduli, and Poisson’s ratios) are derived and compared to assess the consistency, accuracy, and computational efficiency of the two approaches. The results show that both methods yield effective properties with less than 1% difference between them, and less than 5% deviation from experimental data reported in the literature for the effective Young’s modulus. Furthermore, the anisotropy of each TPMS topology across the range of relative densities is examined through the directional distribution of Young’s moduli. The outcomes are expected to clarify the strengths and limitations of FE versus MSG in capturing the effective behaviour of architected cellular solids, thus supporting the selection of homogenisation strategies for the design of lattice-based lightweight structures. Full article

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) sandwich structures made from PLA, reinforced with flax fibers, offer a bio-based approach to lightweight design, but their performance is sensitive to material-extrusion parameters. This study investigates the combined effects of layer height (0.16, 0.24, and 0.28 mm) and extrusion temperature (200, 220 °C) on the flexural behavior of gyroid-core PLA–flax sandwiches. Six parameter combinations were fabricated by fused filament fabrication and tested in three-point bending to obtain flexural strength and strain at failure. Post-fracture optical microscopy related mesostructure and failure mechanisms to macroscopic response. The highest strength (≈23 MPa) was found at 0.28 mm/200 °C, while the greatest strain at failure (≈0.06 mm/mm) occurred at 0.16 mm/200 °C. Two-factor ANOVA showed the significant main and interaction effects of temperature and layer height on both metrics. Fractography revealed a transition from interfacial delamination at lower temperatures and thinner layers to a more localized, cohesive rupture as interlayer bonding improved with higher temperature and thicker layers. Complementary compression tests revealed a core-dominated cellular collapse, with first-collapse stresses ranging from 6.3 to 8.2 MPa and a significant dependence on layer height and temperature (ANOVA). A gate-to-gate sustainability assessment indicated that layer height dominates printing time, energy demand, and CO₂ emissions, with 0.28 mm minimizing energy per unit property. Measured part masses were 4–6% below slicer predictions, consistent with typical FFF porosity. The results provide TPMS-specific process windows that balance mechanical performance and energy efficiency for PLA–flax sandwiches. Full article

The rapid development of high-end equipment has created stringent requirements for multifunctional integration in materials. However, traditional porous materials have faced a fundamental trade-off between lightweight characteristics and mechanical and acoustic performance. To address this challenge, a design and fabrication method for interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) based on triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures was proposed. The effects of porosity, unit cell size, and structural type on the performance of porous structures were systematically investigated. TPMS frameworks were fabricated from AlSi7Mg alloy using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). These frameworks were then combined with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) via a foaming infiltration process to create the AlSi7Mg/TPU IPCs. Acoustic and compression tests were performed using an impedance tube and a universal testing machine. The results indicated that, compared to unfilled TPMS structures, the IPCs exhibited a shift in the first peak acoustic absorption coefficient to lower frequencies, an increase (1.59 = fold) in the average acoustic absorption coefficient within the 500–6300 Hz range, and a significant enhancement (35.58 fold) in the average normal incidence transmission loss (TL). Under quasi-static compression, the plateau stage was sustained over 60% strain, and the energy absorption capacity increased by a factor of 3.56. This research provides a technical reference for developing multifunctional materials for aerospace and other acoustic applications. Full article

Ensuring efficient heat transfer to maintain optimal system performance is crucial in modern electronics owing to the rise of artificial intelligence. In the last few decades, scholars have explored various strategies for enhancing electronic device thermal management, focusing on the effects of fin shape, dimension, and spacing on heat transfer efficiency. Recent advancements in additive manufacturing have enabled fabrication of complex geometries, such as triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs), which represent promising alternatives to conventional designs. This study presents a comparative analysis of the thermal performance and fluid flow characteristics of two foam TPMS-based (gyroid and primitive) heat sinks with wavy fins made using aluminum foam. COMSOL Multiphysics version 5.1, employed along with the implemented finite element method, was used to simulate convective heat transfer, pressure drop, the Nusselt number, and thermal performance at different fluid velocities along the length of a channel. The foam structure was heated by a copper plate, and the Nusselt number was evaluated over porosity levels from 0.1 to 0.9. A porosity between 0.5 and 0.7 offers the best balance of cooling performance and pumping power. Foam TPMS heat sinks, particularly those with a gyroid structure, provide enhanced thermal dissipation owing to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and interconnected geometry. Our findings confirm that TPMS heat sinks have promising potential for use as alternatives to conventional wavy designs for advanced thermal management applications. Full article

This study explores the application of lattice structures as internal support architectures in the fabrication of Inconel 718 components via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), building upon previous research on beam-based FCCZ supports. Two representative lattice typologies were investigated: the node and beam-based FCCZ (face centered cubic with Z direction reinforcement struts) structure and the triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) Schoen Gyroid cell. The aim was to assess how the transition from a discrete beam-node architecture to a continuous surface topology influences manufacturability, thermal stability, and mechanical performance. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations in Ansys accurately predicted distortions and residual stresses during the L-PBF process, showing strong agreement with stereomicroscope measurements. Specifically, the maximum directional deformation reached 0.32 mm for the FCCZ sample versus 0.17 mm for the Gyroid, with corresponding peak residual stresses of 1328 MPa and 940 MPa, respectively. After fabrication, the samples underwent solution treatment and double aging according to AMS 2774 and AMS 5662 standards. Vickers microhardness increased from about 320 HV0.3 in the as-built condition to 500 HV0.3 after heat treatment (+55%), with overall porosity remaining below 1%. Microstructural analysis using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that heat treatment partially homogenized the microstructure but did not achieve complete recrystallization, leaving localized dendritic regions and undissolved Laves phases, particularly near the lattice. The precipitation of γ′ and δ phases enhanced hardness and mechanical uniformity, as confirmed by Vickers microhardness testing. Quantitatively, the Gyroid topology exhibited approximately 40% lower deformation and defect density than the FCCZ structure, confirming its superior manufacturability and thermal stability. These findings provide practical guidance for selecting lattice topologies for support architectures in L-PBF Inconel 718 components where thermal stability and shape preservation during build are critical. Full article

Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMSs) are mathematically defined surfaces that exhibit periodicity in three dimensions while maintaining a minimal surface property. TPMS-based lattices have gained significant attention in recent years, fueled by advancements in Additive Manufacturing (AM). These structures exhibit exceptional mechanical, thermal, and mass transfer properties, positioning them as a promising class of next-generation materials. However, fully leveraging their potential requires a comprehensive understanding of their design, properties, optimization, and applications. Given the hierarchical nature of TPMSs, achieving optimal performance requires multiscale optimization at the macro- and micro-levels. Addressing these complexities requires advanced computational methods to balance structural integrity and functional performance. In this narrative review, design strategies like functional grading and hybridization to create optimized TPMS-based lattices are summarized. Herein, the performance of such lattices in the mechanical, thermal, and mass transfer domains is focused upon. The role of topology optimization (TO) in the creation of architectured materials for specific application is discussed along with the emerging integration of machine learning. Furthermore, multidisciplinary applications of TPMS structures are examined, particularly in heat sinks, interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs), and biomimetic scaffolds, with their potential to enhance heat dissipation, structural resistance, and biomimicry of biological scaffolds. In addition, various additive manufacturing technologies for fabricating TPMS structures are reviewed, emphasizing how additive manufacturing allows high reproducibility construction of their complex geometry in a precise manner. Further unexplored areas of research are also discussed. Full article