Design-manufacturing-evaluation integrated of microwave absorption metastructure based on large variation genetic-ant colony fusion optimization algorithm and additive manufacturing

Absorbing materials and structures are widely used in military and civilian fields, such as electromagnetic wave protection and stealth technology. However, current materials face challenges including high mass, limited load-bearing capacity, and the lack of integrated material-structure designs. In this study, we combined additive manufacturing technology with a hybrid optimization algorithm, integrating large mutation genetic and ant colony algorithms, to develop a novel lightweight honeycomb structure. The optimized structure achieved broadband absorption over 91.84 % of the 2 GHz–40 GHz range and demonstrated superior mechanical performance, with a maximum deflection of 13.72 mm and a load capacity of 2.87 kN. These findings present an innovative strategy for designing lightweight structures that effectively balance electromagnetic absorption and mechanical durability.