Multiple transient memories in experiments on sheared non-Brownian suspensions

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Rheology

Background:

• Systems with transient memory often exhibit rapid forgetting of stored information, even under continuous input.
• This memory loss is a known characteristic of certain physical systems, including non-Brownian suspensions subjected to cyclic shearing.
• Theoretical predictions suggested that noise could stabilize these memories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the phenomenon of multiple transient memories in cyclically sheared non-Brownian suspensions.
• To determine if and how noise affects the memory retention capabilities of these systems.
• To validate theoretical predictions regarding memory stabilization in such suspensions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing rheological techniques to study non-Brownian suspensions under controlled cyclic shearing.
• Introducing controlled levels of noise into the system to observe its effect on memory retention.
• Quantifying memory decay and stabilization using particle tracking and/or stress measurements.

Main Results:

• Experimental observations confirmed the existence of multiple transient memories in the studied suspensions.
• The addition of noise significantly enhanced memory retention, allowing for indefinite storage of inputs.
• The results align with and experimentally validate prior theoretical predictions.

Conclusions:

• Cyclically sheared non-Brownian suspensions exhibit transient memory behavior.
• Noise acts as a stabilizing factor, enabling indefinite memory storage in these systems.
• This finding has implications for understanding information processing in complex physical systems and potentially in designing novel memory materials.