Non-reciprocal solitons in robotic materials

The recent development of robotic materials, which are assemblies of building blocks integrating sensors and actuators, enables the implementation of non-conservative interactions within mechanical systems. This opens the way to the emergence of unique large scale mechanical properties.

Here, we use this new platform to generate soliton waves that indefinitely propagate in only one direction.

We show that these waves emerge from a smart balance between mechanical non-linearities and linear non-reciprocal interactions, namely, which preferably transmit motion in one direction. Using experiments, theoretical models and simulations, we rationalize the conditions of existence of these solitons and demonstrate that they exist even in the presence of friction. These results establish new ways to reliably transport mechanical energy.