PolyU invents bio-inspired antivibration structures

The Department of Mechanical Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a bio-inspired, nonlinear antivibration system that can reduce vibration in various mechanical systems.

The antivibration structure, which won the 2017 TechConnect Global Innovation Award, was developed by Dr. Xingjian Jing as inspired by the limb structures of birds and insects in motion vibration control. The X-shaped system demonstrates nearly zero response to any vibration (quasi-zero low dynamic stiffness) while maintaining high loading capacity. It automatically offers high damping or low damping depending on the amount of vibration.