Design of architectured materials based on topological and geometrical interlocking

In this article we present a design principle based on segmenting a structure into a set of topologically or geometrically interlocked elements. None of these designs was borrowed from Nature and yet there are some parallels between these structures born in the minds of researchers and Nature's designs. We give some historical background, describe the different kinds of interlocking structures, and discuss the ways in which they can be generated. Based on the beneficial features of the proposed structures, such as a great tolerance to local failures, enhanced bending compliance, high sound and energy absorption, ease of assembly and disassembly, and nearly full recyclability, we discuss possible applications of the concept of topological and geometrical interlocking design.