Soft, Mechanical Metamaterials

Researchers produced a soft, mechanical metamaterial that can “think” about how forces are applied to it and respond via programmed reactions. The metamaterials feature flexible, conductive polymer networks that can compute all digital logic computations. The process creates decision-making functionality in engineered materials in a way that could support future soft, autonomous engineered systems that are invested with the basic elements of lifeforms yet are programmed to perform helpful services. These include helping maintain sustainable and robust infrastructure, monitoring of airborne and waterborne contaminants and pathogens, and assisting with patient wound healing.