Cellular materials such as honeycombs and lattices are an important area of research in
Additive Manufacturing due to their ability to improve functionality and performance. While there
are several design choices when selecting a unit cell, it is not always apparent what the optimum
cellular design for a particular application is. This becomes particularly challenging when seeking
an optimal design for more than one function, or when the design needs to transition spatially
between different functions. Nature abounds with examples of cellular materials that are able to
achieve multifunctionality, but designers lack the ability to translate the underlying principles in
these examples to their design tools. In this work, we propose a framework to bridge the gap
between nature and designer. We present a classification of natural cellular materials based on
their structure and function, and relate them in a manner amenable for use in guiding design for
Additive Manufacturing.Mechanical Engineerin
