Work

Dynamic drives allow independent control of material bits for targeted memory

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mechanical metamaterials with bistable elements can store vast amounts of information, but writing these memories requires impractical local control or lengthy multicycle protocols. We overcome this limitation with a dynamic control strategy that accesses any configuration in a single global drive cycle by leveraging the system's sensitivity to the drive and its time derivatives. We realize this strategy with bistable beams on a rotating platform, where drive cycles become orbits in a control space of angular velocity and acceleration. State changes occur when these orbits cross switching thresholds, which we rationally design so that each state can be accessed by a single drive orbit. We construct a five-bit system and demonstrate its full addressability by selecting drive orbits that write all 26 uppercase letters of the alphabet in ASCII representation. This dynamic control paradigm offers a general route toward smart, remotely operated devices across various physical domains.

Source: Science Advances

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aec1606

Authors: Eduardo Gutierrez-Prieto, Colin M. Meulblok, Martin van Hecke, Pedro M. Reis

Institutions: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Leiden University, Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Materials and Mechanics

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funder: European Research Council