Scientists develop new structure to control vibrations of machines and instruments

Scientists claim to have developed a structure that can absorb and reduce vibrations from engineering and mechanical devices more effectively than conventional systems used so far to contain the tremors of machines and devices in various industries.

The discovery, reported in the journal Scientific reportsis linked to a unique design structure that combines two types of materials, according to University of Sharjah civil and environmental engineering professor Moussa Leblouba, who is a co-author.

“The structure we designed is unique because it combines two types of materials: one that bends easily (negative stiffness) and one that resists bending (positive stiffness),” said Professor Leblouba. “When these materials work together, they create a particular behavior where the structure can support heavy loads while remaining virtually insensitive to small vibrations.”

The study is a collaborative effort involving scientists from the University of Sharjah’s College of Engineering, the National Institute of Technology in India and King Fahd University in Saudi Arabia.

The scientists write: “From the analytical, numerical and experimental studies, it has been demonstrated that the proposed model not only represents the QZS characteristics but also provides effective vibration isolation performance, especially in the low-frequency ranges.

“This demonstrates the ability of the metastructure to mitigate vibration impacts through innovative design and strategic use of materials, establishing its potential applicability in practical engineering solutions where vibration isolation is essential.”

The new “metastructure” exhibits quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) properties. It is based on the mechanism of high static stiffness and low dynamic stiffness. It consists of four unit cells arranged in parallel, each incorporating inclined beams and semicircular arches.

Near-zero stiffness or QZS is a condition in which the structure has extremely low resistance to movement within a certain range, allowing it to effectively isolate vibrations while supporting a load. This unique characteristic is essential to the ability of the “metastructure” to maintain stability in sensitive environments.

Professor Leblouba said the study aimed to create “a solution that is not only theoretically sound but also practical for real-world applications in industries that require precise vibration control.

“As part of our research, we have developed and validated a new type of structure that can control vibrations, unwanted movements that can affect the performance of machines and devices.”

Lead author of the study, Dr Srajan Dalela, project scientist at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India, said the innovation stands out for its ability to suppress vibrations from all types of machines across different industries.

“The ability of this structure to maintain stability while reducing vibration opens up new possibilities for protecting sensitive equipment in various industries,” said Dr. Dalela.

“Our research opens a new frontier in vibration control, providing a practical solution to a problem that has challenged engineers for decades.”

The scientists validated the effectiveness of their newly developed “metastructure” through multiple analyses and experiments, added Prof. Leblouba.

“We tested this structure through computer simulations and real experiments, and our results confirmed that it can effectively reduce vibrations, especially at low frequencies where traditional methods struggle.

“This means that our structure could be used in various fields, such as aerospace, medical imaging and precision instruments, to protect sensitive equipment from vibrations and improve their performance.”

Engineers and mechanics have long been trying to find a solution to prevent machines and devices from vibrating during operation. Machine vibrations have always been a major challenge for them.

The scientists describe their invention as a lightweight structure that “can isolate vibrations for different frequency ranges from the lowest to the highest frequency ranges,” giving it a wide range of applications in various industries.

In their paper, they highlight industrial areas where their new structure “helps absorb and dissipate vibrations” from different machines and devices.

They claim that their compact and lightweight structure offers interesting potential applications. Their study highlights that their invention has the ability to “attenuate vibrations from telescopes and the positioning of telescopic mounts” when applied in optical systems.

Regarding medical imaging devices, they write that their new structure “can provide a stable environment for MRI machines to produce high-quality images and for high-precision microscopes to ensure stable imaging.”

According to the study, this structure also has practical implications for semiconductor manufacturing systems because it can “isolate sensitive equipment and maintain necessary stability.”

In the field of precision instruments and laboratories, the authors demonstrate that their structure has the ability to “maintain the stability required for accurate results.”

The authors also cite industrial machinery as a useful area where vibration control is important for “a stable environment and precision.”

“This innovation can improve the performance and lifespan of precision instruments, medical devices, aerospace equipment and more, making these technologies more reliable and efficient,” said Professor Leblouba, adding that the design “can be adjusted depending on the load it needs to support, making it versatile for different applications.”

Asked about the significance of the invention, Professor Leblouba said: “The impact of our project is considerable, as it offers a new solution to a long-standing problem in many industries… This innovation can improve the performance and lifespan of precision instruments, medical devices, aerospace equipment, etc., making these technologies more reliable and efficient.”

Professor Leblouba said the invention is the first of its kind to work effectively in situations where other structures have failed, particularly in low-frequency vibrations.

“The design of the structure can be adjusted according to the load it has to support, making it versatile for different applications. Our experiments have shown that this structure can maintain its vibration control capabilities even when subjected to varying conditions.”

The scientists are waiting to see how industry will react to their invention. But they are optimistic that their findings will eventually make a difference.

Associate Professor Abul Kalam of the Faculty of Science at King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia said: “We are excited to see how our results can be applied in real-world settings, where accuracy and reliability are paramount.”