Reverse natures: Design synthesis of Texture-Based Metamaterials (TBMs)

We describe a new approach for generating micro-structures for 3-D printing called 'Texture-based Metamaterials'. Current micro-structure synthesis methods jump to install a performance goal from the outset. This is not useful in conceptual design when design goal are not yet well-defined. In order to fully realize 3-D printing design spaces, requires new exploratory methods. Using 3-D scans of natural textures as components, we can expand the catalog of 3-D printed microstructures. To do this, we introduce a new modelling procedure to generate new unit-cell geometries. Unit-cells can be repeated or combined with other structures to provide performance behavior at the macro-scale. To apply these structures in a design, we then simulate and characterize their mechanical behavior. Finally, we present a case study example to show the process and tool-chain.