Nanowerk September 17, 2024
While computation functions have been demonstrated in mechanical systems, they rely on compliant mechanisms to achieve predefined states, which impose inherent design restrictions that limit their miniaturization, deployment, reconfigurability, and functionality. Researchers at the University of Michigan describe a metamaterial system based on responsive magnetoactive Janus particle (MAJP) swarms with multiple programmable functions. They designed MAJPs with tunable structure and properties in mind, that is, encoded swarming behavior and fully reversible switching mechanisms, to enable programmable dynamic display, non-volatile and semi-volatile memory, Boolean logic, and information encryption functions in soft, wearable devices. According to the researchers MAJPs and their unique swarming behavior open new functions for the design of multifunctional and reconfigurable display devices, and constitute a promising building block to develop the next generation of soft physical computing devices, with growing applications in security, defense, anti-counterfeiting, camouflage, soft robotics, and human-robot interaction… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Fabrication of magnetoactive Janus particles (MAJPs) and display system… Credit: Advanced Materials, 16 September 2024