A recent Nature study co-authored by Cluster Principal Investigator Peter Gumbsch explores how chiral metamaterials can revolutionize mechanical energy storage. By using twist buckling instead of traditional bending, these materials achieve higher stiffness, greater recoverable strain, and up to 160 times greater energy storage capacity. Their innovative design allows for controlled torsional deformation, improving performance without increasing material failure. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for lightweight, resilient structures in energy storage, impact protection, and robotics.
