New Crush-Resistant Metamaterials can Prevent Failure of Structures Written by AZoMMar 12 2021 A chain reaction of locally restricted damage can inevitably lead to a catastrophic breakdown of structures and materials. Such a failure can be seen in many structures, from metal space trusses that collapse after the warping of a solo strut to solid ceramics that breakdown after the development of a tiny crack. Novel tensegrity metamaterials by UCI and Georgia Institute of Technology researchers employ isolated compressive loop elements that are exclusively connected through a continuous network of tensile members (highlighted in magenta). Image Credit: Jens Bauer and Cameron Crook/University of California, Irvine.