Topological kinks in odd elastic metamaterials

Non-reciprocal interactions in mechanical materials can generate exciting material properties such as asymmetric (odd) elastic moduli.

However due to inherent instabilities, tailoring the dynamic response of such materials can be difficult.

Here we suggest how nonlinearities and topology can help stabilize these dynamics such that robust behavior emerges.

To demonstrate this, we build active metamaterials that host topological unidirectional kinks that can serve as active waveguides.

A better understanding of the material properties that emerge from non-reciprocal interactions will provide new avenues towards the design and control of active metamaterials.