Buckled Beams for Morphing Meta-Materials

Multi-stable structures can remain in distinct discrete states without a constant input of energy. Transitioning between these states provides a paradigm for morphing shapes, changing mechanical properties, and encoding information. In this talk, we explore the modular construction of such multi-stable structures by coupling bistable buckled elastic beams. We extend beyond current studies of buckled beam networks by considering beams with general properties, requiring nonlinear mechanical models, and networks with many connections between beams, motivating an Ising-like model to describe their complex interactions. Our models inform how to design the stable states of the networks and possible transitions between them. Using this foundation, we build multi-stable beam networks that function as robotic actuators that change configuration, as programmable materials that switch between different properties and base shapes, and as mechanisms for implementing sequential logic.