Mikromaterialien

Mikromaterialien, or micro-materials, refer to materials whose internal structural features lie in the micrometer scale, typically from a few micrometers to a few hundred micrometers. The arrangement and architecture at this scale are engineered to tailor macroscopic properties such as stiffness, density, thermal conductivity, acoustic response, and optical behavior. They are studied within materials science, mechanical engineering, and applied physics, and intersect with the design of metamaterials and cellular solids.

Common forms include microstructured lattices and cellular materials, microcomposites with dispersed micro-scale inclusions, and soft micro-materials such as microgels and elastomer networks. Metamaterials built from micro-scale unit cells allow unusual properties like negative Poisson's ratio, tailored damping, or band gaps for acoustic or electromagnetic waves.

Fabrication is achieved by microfabrication techniques such as lithography, etching, micro-molding, laser structuring, and additive manufacturing at the microscale, including two-photon polymerization and micro-stereolithography. Self-assembly and templating methods also play a role for certain materials.

Characterization requires high-resolution imaging and micromechanical testing, using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, micro-computed tomography, and in situ testing in micro mechanical setups.

Applications of Mikromaterialien span MEMS and nanoelectromechanical systems, micro-robotics, biomedical devices, microfluidics, energy storage and conversion, optical and acoustic components, and sensors. Challenges include manufacturing scale-up, reproducibility, material interfaces, reliability under cyclic loads, and cost; properties can be highly sensitive to unit-cell geometry and defects. Research aims to integrate micro-materials into macroscale assemblies and systems.