Shear-wave manipulation by embedded soft devices

Hyperelastic transformation theory has proven shear-wave manipulation devices with various functions can be designed by utilizing neo-Hookean material with appropriate pre-deformation. However, it is still elusive that how can such devices match with the background medium in which they embedded. In this work, we present a systematic formulation of the transmission and reflection of elastic waves at the interface between un-deformed and pre-deformed hyperelastic materials. With the combination of theoretical analyses and numerical simulations, we specifically investigate the shear-wave propagation from an un-deformed neo-Hookean material to the one subject to different homogeneous deformations. Among three typical deformation modes, we found "constrained" uniaxial tension and simple shear guarantee total transmission, whereas "ordinary" uniaxial tension and hydrostatic compression cause wave reflection. On this basis, three embedded shear-wave manipulation devices, including a unidirectional cloak, a splicable beam bend, and a concave lens, are proposed and verified through numerical simulations. This work may pave the way for the design and realization of soft-matter-based wave control devices. Potential applications can be anticipated in nondestructive testing, structure impact protection, biomedical imaging, and soft robotics.