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It has been shown previously that a panel comprising a cellular array can yield a normal incidence transmission loss in a specified low frequency range that is significantly larger than that of a homogeneous panel having the same mass per unit area. The cellular metamaterial considered consists of a periodic arrangement of unit plates held in a grid-like frame. However, when the incident sound field is diffuse, the relative advantage of the metamaterial barrier is reduced or eliminated. Here it will be shown through a sequence of experimental measurements that the relative advantage of the metamaterial barrier can be restored by creating a hybrid system consisting of a layer applied to the front surface of the material that causes sound to approach the barrier at normal incidence, and a layer on the rear surface of the material that compensates for the transmission loss minimum that normally follows the peak in a metamaterial barrier transmission loss. In the implementation considered here, the front layer consists of a lattice structure, and the rear layer consists of high performance glass fiber. The role of each of these components will be illustrated using measurements of transmission loss of a 1:2 m square panel system.

Topologically interlocked material systems are two-dimensional granular crystals created as ordered and adhesion-less assemblies of unit elements of the shape of platonic solids. The assembly resists transverse forces due to the interlocking geometric arrangement of the unit elements. Topologically interlocked material systems yet require an external constraint to provide resistance under the action of external load. Past work considered fixed and passive constraints only. The objective of the present study is to consider active and adaptive external constraints with the goal to achieve variable stiffness and energy absorption characteristics of the topologically interlocked material system through an active control of the in-plane constraint conditions. Experiments and corresponding model analysis are used to demonstrate control of system stiffness over a wide range, including negative stiffness, and energy absorption characteristics. The adaptive characteristics of the topologically interlocked material system are shown to solve conflicting requirements of simultaneously providing energy absorption while keeping loads controlled. Potential applications can be envisioned in smart structure enhanced response characteristics as desired in shock absorption, protective packaging and catching mechanisms.