Design of Material Microstructures with Functional Properties through Topology Optimization

By designing the material microstructures, enhanced performance or novel properties of the materials can be achieved. Different from the traditional design approach, topology optimization offers a more systematic and intelligent approach to optimally achieve the desired and exotic properties. It has demonstrated great potentials for material design by combining with the homogenization theory. This thesis has developed the inverse design of elastoplastic materials and chiral structures and materials through topology optimization. A variety of novel materials have been successfully obtained. The developed topology optimization algorithms open the door to explore other exotic properties of materials in the future.