Autonomous actuation of zero modes in mechanical networks far from equilibrium

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that non-equilibrium activity can selectively activate zero modes in mechanical networks, enabling autonomous actuation and suppression of unwanted fluctuations, with both theoretical and experimental validation.

Contribution

It introduces a method to selectively mobilize zero modes in mechanical networks using non-equilibrium activity, combining theoretical insights with experimental demonstrations.

Findings

Active bath actuates zero modes while suppressing higher mode fluctuations.

High-frequency shaking mimics active bath effects in experiments.

Self-propelled dynamics spontaneously mobilize finite mechanisms.

Abstract

A zero mode, or floppy mode, is a non-trivial coupling of mechanical components yielding a degree of freedom with no resistance to deformation. Engineered zero modes have the potential to act as microscopic motors or memory devices, but this requires an internal actuation mechanism that can overcome unwanted fluctuations in other modes and the dissipation inherent in real systems. In this work, we show theoretically and experimentally that complex zero modes in mechanical networks can be selectively mobilized by non-equilibrium activity. We find that a correlated active bath actuates an infinitesimal zero mode while simultaneously suppressing fluctuations in higher modes compared to thermal fluctuations, which we experimentally mimic by high frequency shaking of a physical network. Furthermore, self-propulsive dynamics spontaneously mobilise finite mechanisms as exemplified by a self-propelled topological soliton. Non-equilibrium activity thus enables autonomous actuation of coordinated mechanisms engineered through network topology.