Autonomous Actuation of Zero Modes in Mechanical Networks Far from Equilibrium
Name
PhysRevLett.121.178001.pdf
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678.48 KB
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Author(s)
Woodhouse, Francis G.
Ronellenfitsch, Henrik Michael
Dunkel, Joern
Date Issued
October 2018
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Publisher
American Physical Society
Citation
Woodhouse, Francis G., et al. “Autonomous Actuation of Zero Modes in Mechanical Networks Far from Equilibrium.” Physical Review Letters, vol. 121, no. 17, Oct. 2018. © 2018 American Physical Society
Version
Final published version
Abstract
A zero mode, or floppy mode, is a nontrivial coupling of mechanical components yielding a degree of freedom with no resistance to deformation. Engineered zero modes have the potential to act as microscopic motors or memory devices, but this requires an internal actuation mechanism that can overcome unwanted fluctuations in other modes and the dissipation inherent in real systems. In this Letter, we show theoretically and experimentally that complex zero modes in mechanical networks can be selectively mobilized by nonequilibrium activity. We find that a correlated active bath actuates an infinitesimal zero mode while simultaneously suppressing fluctuations in higher modes compared to thermal fluctuations, which we experimentally mimic by high frequency shaking of a physical network. Furthermore, self-propulsive dynamics spontaneously mobilize finite mechanisms as exemplified by a self-propelled topological soliton. Nonequilibrium activity thus enables autonomous actuation of coordinated mechanisms engineered through network topology.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mathematics
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.178001
