2023 · Research

Soap Coating Cellular Structures

Yinding Chi, Yuchong Gao, Mohit Patel, Kunhao Yu, Pt Brun, Mostafa Akbari, Masoud Akbarzadeh, Shu Yang

In this research, the wireframe of a shellular structure approximating the Schwarz P surface that is designed in PGS is soaked into a soap solution. The wireframe is 3D printed using plastic. Two solutions were used: a polymer and graphene oxide (GO) aqueous mixture, and a polymer aqueous solution. These solutions fill the faces of the polyhedral structure with a soap film, improving structural performance. Strut-based cellular structures designed in PGS lack the desired shear capacity; adding the films across the faces improves shear capacity.

Related publication: Chi, Gao, Akbari, et al. “Geometrically Templated, Ultra-Lightweight and High Strength Soap Films from Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Graphene Oxide/Polymer Composites.” Advanced Functional Materials, 2025.

Soap-coated cellular lattice with graphene oxide film

Helmet fabricated with soap-coated shellular structure

Compression test of soap-coated cellular structure