  Multifunctional lattice materials are of great interest to modern engineering
including aerospace, robotics, wave control, and sensing. In this work, we
proposed and developed a new class of functional lattice materials called
liquid metal lattice materials, which are composed of liquid metals and
elastomer coatings organized in a co-axial way. This hybrid design enables the
liquid metal lattice materials with a thermal-activated shape memory effect and
hence a variety of intriguing functionalities including recoverable energy
absorption, tunable shape and rigidity, deployable and reconfigurable
behaviors. The fabrication of liquid metal lattice materials is realised by a
hybrid manufacturing approach combining 3D printing, vacuum casting, and
coating. The mechanical properties and functionalities of these liquid metal
lattice materials are studied via experimental testing. We expect that this new
class of lattice materials will greatly expand the current realm of lattice
materials and lead to novel multifunctional applications.
