Flexible multi-material structures

A flexible multi-material structure comprising

• a plurality of rings of overlapping plates that form a generally circular shape perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the structure;
• an internal compliant hollow frame to which the plurality of rings of overlapping plates is attached, the internal compliant hollow frame comprising:
• a circumference corresponding to the generally circular shape of the plurality of rings of overlapping plates;
• at least one continuous left-handed helical path and at least one continuous right-handed helical path which form intersections every 90 degrees or less around the circumference of the compliant frame;
• a plurality of circumferential rings to which a forward edge of each of the plurality of plates are fixed to form uniform rings of plates around the circumference, the circumferential rings passing through the intersections of the right-and left-handed helical paths, the pitch of the left- and right-handed helical paths coinciding with the spacing of circumferential rings of the internal compliant frame and defining intersection spacing that provides overlap between adjacent rows of plates.