On-demand spatial programmability of mechanical metamaterials

In recent decades, the concept of architected materials has received significant academic attention. Numerous seminal works have demonstrated novel materials whose characteristics do not exist in nature. In the design of mechanical metamaterials, researchers typically assume that these novel behaviors are determined, 1) by geometry and not by the constituent materials, 2) with a certain form of periodicity and 3) at the time of fabrication. Now, we have begun to challenge all three of these assumptions. In this work, I discuss a new paradigm of metamaterial design whereby each unit-cell is fabricated in an embryonic state. Consequently, the metamaterial has no preconceived notion or bias as to how it should behave. In this first stage, I demonstrate a multi-stable unit cell whose mechanical properties can be individually and independently controlled on-demand. By designing spatially varying programming pattern, the metamaterial can function in a dynamically controllable manner. I argue such spatial on-demand programmability has untapped potential in next generation metamaterials.