The artificial material (metamaterial) can sense its environment, independently make a decision based on this information, and perform an action, all without being directed by a human operator. For instance, a delivery drone may evaluate its environment – such as wind direction, wind speed and the presence of wildlife – and automatically change course in order to complete its delivery safely.
The mechanical design of the material incorporates three main functions also shown by materials in nature: sensing, information processing and actuation (movement).
Co-author Professor Guoliang Huang of the University of Missouri said that examples of these functions in nature include the rapid reaction of a Venus fly trap’s jaws to capture insects, chameleons changing their colours to camouflage themselves, and pine cones adjusting their shapes in response to changes in humidity.
“Basically, we are controlling how this material responds to changes in external stimuli...