Some Inverse Problems in Topology Design of Materials and Mechanisms

This paper presents an alternative approach to design of mechanisms. The approach is based on a transition from an elastic ground structure to a mechanism using topology optimization methods originally developed for optimal design of elastic truss structures. The approach is demonstrated by examples of design of extreme materials with prescribed elastic properties and by examples of design of mechanisms with prescribed output motions. Both applications can be classified as inverse problems: find the topology that has a prescribed output motion.