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Adaptive locomotion of active solids.
Jonas Veenstra1, Colin Scheibner2,3, Martin Brandenbourger1,4
1Institute of Physics, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Nature
|March 13, 2025
Summary
Engineered active solids with unique elasticity enable adaptive locomotion, mimicking biological systems and outperforming complex control strategies. These materials offer a novel approach to autonomous movement in challenging environments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
Background:
- Active systems with microscopic constituents can create autonomous functional materials.
- Generating useful mechanical work from these energy sources has been a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer active solids capable of adaptive locomotion.
- To explore the unique elastic properties and emergent behaviors of these active materials.
Main Methods:
- Development of centimeter-scale active solids with non-variational elasticity (odd moduli).
- Prediction of elastic moduli using coarse-grained theories and experimental validation.
- Analysis of spontaneous shape changes and locomotion through environmental interaction.
Main Results:
- Active solids exhibit limit cycles of shape changes leading to rolling and crawling locomotion.
- Locomotion is robust due to an emergent feedback loop between the material and its environment.
- Performance rivals complex control strategies like neural networks in acceleration and gait adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Active solids serve as a bridge between materials science and robotics.
- Decentralized strategies can control nonlinear dynamics in biological systems, soft materials, and nanomechanical devices.
- This work paves the way for novel autonomous functional materials.
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