Demonstration of Environmentally Stable, Broadband Energy Dissipation via Multiple Metal Cross-Linked Glycerol Gels

Rapid damping of interfaces experiencing vibrations is critical to the performance of many complex mechanical systems ranging from airplanes to human bodies. Current synthetic materials utilized in vibration damping are limited by either their damping frequency range, tunability, or environmental stability. Here, it is shown how single metal ion cross-linked hydrogels exhibit tunable damping across a large frequency range and multiple metal ion hydrogels exhibit broadband damping within a single material. Additionally, an enhanced resistance to freezing and dehydration is shown with the use of glycerol as a cosolvent. It is expected that material design principles presented here will help advance the development of programmable damping materials better able to meet the demands of sustained operation under broad environmental conditions.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that single metal ion cross-linked hydrogels and multiple metal ion hydrogels show excellent performance in vibration damping. The use of glycerol as a cosolvent enhances the hydrogels' resistance to freezing and dehydration.