A dragonfly-inspired metamaterial device with tunable stiffness and damage-sensitive dynamic response

Abstract

Architected structures with embedded stimuli-responsive materials offer new opportunities for programmable vibration control. However, preserving robust modal integrity under structural damage, especially in anisotropic systems, remains a fundamental challenge. To address these limitations, we propose a dragonfly-inspired metamaterial device that integrates magnetorheological fluid (MRF), enabling dynamic stiffness modulation and real-time recovery under magnetic fields. Under quasi-static compression in-plane (Z-axis), the application of a 30 mT magnetic field increases structural stiffness by 667% and enhances energy absorption by 4 times. Under dynamic excitation out-of-plane (Y-axis), magnetic fields induce a tunable reduction in effective modal stiffness, enabling reversible, contactless frequency control. When artificial cracks are introduced, the system restores vibrational coherence through magnetic field-induced reconfiguration, effectively compensating for the damage-induced modal shifts. This structural self-healing of vibrational properties demonstrates real-time response without physical intervention. This study establishes a multifunctional, reconfigurable wing architecture with potential applications in smart aerospace structures, structural health monitoring, and adaptive vibration control.