Overview

• Researchers at Princeton University have developed the 'metabot,' a metamaterial that can change shape, move, and respond to electromagnetic signals without motors or gears.
• The design is based on Kresling Patterns, a type of origami fold, enabling the metabot to exhibit complex behaviors driven by its geometry rather than its chemical composition.
• A 100-micron-tall prototype created using laser lithography showcases the potential for miniature applications, including targeted drug delivery and surgical tools.
• The metabot's asymmetric, non-commutative responses mimic hysteresis, providing a physical platform to study complex system dynamics and simulate logic gate functions.
• Published in the journal Nature, the research highlights potential uses in soft robotics, thermal regulation, aerospace engineering, and optical devices.