Assonance: A Design Framework for Targeted Spectral Transformations in Acoustic Metamaterials

Acoustic Metamaterials (AM) offer opportunities to realize unusual mechanical wave manipulation capabilities not available through the use of natural or other manmade materials. It is well known that tailoring the characteristics and sequencing of their engineered local features can help optimize their dynamic performance under specific loading conditions. Drawing inspiration from the literary device called 'assonance,' we explore a framework termed 'mechanical assonance' that may be ascribed to realizing targeted spectral transformations for mechanical waves by sequencing oscillators with tuned linear (or nonlinear) responses within an AM. In this vein, assonance aims to utilize resonant elements and interactive mechanisms among them as building blocks to create enriched functionalities in AM. Simulation-based optimization for case studies will be presented to illustrate the features of this approach. Potential implications and opportunities for future work will also be discussed.