Signal propagation in reversible digital mechanics

Digital mechanics explores information processing through binary, mechanical circuits. This work demonstrates a flexural, mechanical integrated circuit (m-IC) that achieves reversible, non-reciprocal signal propagation through integrated AND logic and memory. Our approach exploits sequential bistable transitions with symmetric energy wells, tunable stiffness, impedance matching, and AND gate non-linearity, to enable signal propagation, repeatability, and reversibility. We present a generalized model of logic kinematics and energetics, validated experimentally, to study energy flows, quantify energetic limits, and identify operating regimes for reversible logic. Macro-scale experiments confirm propagation dynamics, and new fabrication methods extend the architecture to micro-scale devices. By achieving controlled, reversible signal transmission across interconnected logic and memory, this work establishes a scalable platform for robust mechanical computing and adaptive sensing.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Materials Horizons
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1039/d5mh00509d
Primary Topic
Mechanical and Optical Resonators
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Signal propagation in reversible digital mechanics

Hilary A. Johnson, Robert M. Panas, Jonathan Brigham Hopkins, John Cortes et al.
Materials Horizons
Mechanical and Optical Resonators
article

Signal propagation in reversible digital mechanics

Hilary A. Johnson, Robert M. Panas, Jonathan Brigham Hopkins, John Cortes, Mohammad Mehdi Ahmadi, Amin Farzaneh, Julie Mancini, Andrew J. Pascall, Logan Bekker, Frederick Sun
article en

Abstract

Digital mechanics explores information processing through binary, mechanical circuits. This work demonstrates a flexural, mechanical integrated circuit (m-IC) that achieves reversible, non-reciprocal signal propagation through integrated AND logic and memory. Our approach exploits sequential bistable transitions with symmetric energy wells, tunable stiffness, impedance matching, and AND gate non-linearity, to enable signal propagation, repeatability, and reversibility. We present a generalized model of logic kinematics and energetics, validated experimentally, to study energy flows, quantify energetic limits, and identify operating regimes for reversible logic. Macro-scale experiments confirm propagation dynamics, and new fabrication methods extend the architecture to micro-scale devices. By achieving controlled, reversible signal transmission across interconnected logic and memory, this work establishes a scalable platform for robust mechanical computing and adaptive sensing.

Materials HorizonsVol. 12(24)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (US), University of California, Los Angeles (US)
U.S. Department of Energy, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Openalex Percentile: Top 74%
Mechanical and Optical Resonators
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.