Topological Solitons Make Metamaterials Crawl

Explore a cutting-edge seminar on the application of topological solitons in mechanical metamaterials for robotic locomotion. Delve into Bolei Deng and colleagues' groundbreaking research, published in Physical Review Applied, which demonstrates how multistable metamaterials can harness topological solitons with coupled rotational and translational components to create a crawling robot. Learn about the characterization of these solitons through experimental measurements and analysis, and discover how their rotational component generates a favorable friction gradient for locomotion. Understand the innovative design that allows the robot to be powered by a single actuator, with all locomotion features embedded in the mechanics and activated by topological solitons. Gain insights from this 46-minute presentation by Bolei Deng from Harvard University, moderated by Baile Zhang from Nanyang Technological University, and uncover new possibilities in wave propagation, mechanical logic, and shape morphing applications.