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arXiv · 2508.16257

Dynamic driving enables independent control of material bits for targeted memory

E. Gutierrez-Prieto·C. M. Meulblok·M. van Hecke·P. M. Reis
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Abstract

Mechanical metamaterials with bistable elements can store vast amounts of information, but writing these memories requires impractical local control or lengthy multi-cycle 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 towards smart, remotely operated devices across various physical domains.

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E. Gutierrez-Prieto, C. M. Meulblok, M. van Hecke, P. M. Reis. 2025-08-22. Dynamic driving enables independent control of material bits for targeted memory. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aec1606

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