Nonlinear Topological Mechanics in Elliptically Geared Isostatic Metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper introduces elliptically geared isostatic metamaterials that exhibit nonlinear topological phases, enabling the creation and annihilation of surface and dislocation-bound modes through collective soliton motions driven by nonlinear Berry phase transitions.

Contribution

It presents a novel design of metamaterials that combine topological physics with nonlinear mechanics, demonstrating tunable topological phases via soliton-induced transitions.

Findings

Nonlinear topological transitions realized through collective soliton motions.

Surface polar elasticity and zero modes can be controlled by topological polarization.

The approach integrates topological physics with nonlinear mechanics for multi-phase structures.

Abstract

Despite the extensive studies of topological systems, the experimental characterizations of strongly nonlinear topological phases have been lagging. To address this shortcoming, we design and build elliptically geared isostatic metamaterials. Their nonlinear topological transitions can be realized by collective soliton motions, which stem from the transition of nonlinear Berry phase. Endowed by the intrinsic nonlinear topological mechanics, surface polar elasticity and dislocation-bound zero modes can be created or annihilated as the topological polarization reverses orientation. Our approach integrates topological physics with strongly nonlinear mechanics and promises multi-phase structures at the micro and macro scales.