3D printed architected hollow sphere foams with low-frequency phononic band gaps

We experimentally and numerically investigate elastic wave propagation in a class of lightweight architected materials composed of hollow spheres and binders. Elastic wave transmission tests demonstrate the existence of vibration mitigation capability in the proposed architected foams, which is validated against the numerically predicted phononic band gap. We further describe that the phononic band gap properties can be significantly altered through changing hollow sphere thickness and binder size in the architected foams. Importantly, our results indicate that by increasing the stiffness contrast between hollow spheres and binders, the phononic band gaps are broadened and shifted toward a low-frequency range. At the threshold stiffness contrast of 50, the proposed architected foam requires only a volume fraction of 10.8% while exhibiting an omnidirectional band gap size exceeding 130%. The proposed design paradigm and physical mechanisms are robust and applicable to architected foams with other topologies, thus providing new opportunities to design phononic metamaterials for low-frequency vibration control.