Dissertation
Non-Abelian metamaterials: emergent computing and memory
In the traditional theory of linear elasticity, superposition dictates that the response of a material does not depend on the sequence of the applied mechanical actuations.
- Author
- A. Singh
- Date
- 28 September 2023
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
In this dissertation, we design non-linear building blocks to realize a non-Abelian metamaterial whose response is sequence-sensitive. We study the behaviour of such metamaterials through simulations and experiments using existing mathematical and engineering frameworks such as finite state machines and Boolean logic circuits. We discover that the non-Abelian metamaterial possesses information processing and storage capabilities: it behaves like a simple computer. This opens up new avenues to realize mechanical computing and memory devices with a complex emergent response.