UC Santa Cruz

In this thesis, digital meta-materials were investigated to prove this advancement in material science and manufacturability. The ultra-light morphing wing having a twist design attests the cellular solids' versatility and scalability. The purpose of the research is to comprehend the impact of injected molded polymers and to implement analysis on the aero structure's behavior under vibrations.

This thesis presents a base-excitation modal testing technique for a lattice-based aeroelastic wing by measuring the natural frequencies and the mode shapes of the lattice structure. The wing was vibrated through the use of a shaker, which induced translational motion in the lateral direction of the wing. Two vibrometer lasers were used to detect the natural frequencies of the vibrations created by the shaker. The experimental results were compared with the finite element frequency simulations in Abaqus software, and the analytical model of a trapezoidal plate validated the results.