Programmable Tensegrity‐Inspired Metamaterials With Compression–Torsion Coupling and Tunable Energy Dissipation

ABSTRACT Mechanical metamaterials with programmable deformation, tunable energy dissipation, and reusable impact‐mitigation capability are highly desirable for adaptive protective systems and multifunctional mechanical devices. However, achieving stable compression–torsion coupling together with post‐fabrication programmability and recoverable energy dissipation remains challenging. Here, we develop a tensegrity‐inspired mechanical metamaterial based on the structural duality between Kresling origami and three‐strut tensegrity structure. Through discrete hole‐position switching, the metamaterial enables programmable configuration switching, stiffness regulation, and configuration‐dependent compression–torsion coupling within a single physical architecture. Within the investigated design space, the structural configuration strongly influences the accessible energy‐dissipation range, whereas elastic‐member stiffness regulates its magnitude. The three‐strut tensegrity unit cell exhibits recoverable deformation, stable cyclic response, and pronounced torsional output. Multicell assemblies further translate unit‐cell‐level programmability into collective deformation pathways, enabling staged deformation, graded energy dissipation, and chirality‐dependent Poisson's ratio responses. Dynamic impact experiments demonstrate reduced peak transmitted forces, suppressed rebound, and repeatable impact‐mitigation behavior at the unit‐cell level. This work establishes a programmable tensegrity‐inspired metamaterial platform for regulating nonlinear mechanical responses and provides a design strategy for adaptive impact mitigation, soft robotics, and reusable energy‐dissipating systems.