Multifunctional Hyperuniform Cellular Networks: Optimality, Anisotropy and Disorder

Abstract: Disordered hyperuniform heterogeneous materials are new, exotic amorphous states of matter that behave like crystals in the manner in which they suppress volume-fraction fluctuations at large length scales, and yet are statistically isotropic with no Bragg peaks. It has recently been shown that disordered hyperuniform dielectric two-dimensional cellular network solids possess complete photonic band gaps comparable in size to photonic crystals, while at the same time maintaining statistical isotropy, enabling waveguide geometries not possible with photonic crystals. Motivated by these developments, we explore other functionalities of various two-dimensional ordered and disordered hyperuniform cellular networks, including their effective thermal or electrical conductivities and elastic moduli. We establish the multifunctionality of a class of such low-density networks by demonstrating that they maximize or virtually maximize the effective conductivities and elastic moduli. This is accomplished using the machinery of homogenization theory, including optimal bounds and cross-property bounds, and statistical mechanics. We have identified ordered and disordered hyperuniform low-weight cellular networks that are multifunctional with respect to transport (e.g., heat dissipation and fluid transport), mechanical and electromagnetic properties, which can be readily fabricated using 3D printing and lithographic technologies.