Dawei Li, Ning Dai, Yunlong Tang, Guoying Dong, and Yaoyao Fiona Zhao
J. Mech. Des 141(7), 071402
doi: 10.1115/1.4042617

Periodic cellular structures with excellent mechanical properties widely exist in nature. Examples include shark skin, bone structure, etc. This research introduces a generative design and optimization method for triply periodic level surface (TPLS)-based functionally graded cellular structures. In the proposed method, the density distribution is controlled so that the TPLS-based cellular structures can achieve better structural or thermal performances without increasing the weight of the structure. A series of different design specifications are used for validating the design and optimization methods introduced in this work. Effectiveness and robustness of the obtained structures are analyzed using both finite element analysis and experiments. Results from these studies show that the functional gradient cellular structure is much stiffer and has better heat conductivity than the uniform cellular structure.

​