A pseudo-dynamic paradigm for reprogramming domain-wall-lattices in architected solids

From Renaissance drapery to tissue morphogenesis, pattern formation exemplifies how geometry and constraints generate complex structures. In soft and architected matter, motifs such as creases, kinks, and domain walls function as order-parameter textures mediating structural transitions. Yet deterministic and reprogrammable control of such patterns remains a central challenge: conventional geometry-based strategies hardwire functionality into structure, leaving deformation modes defect-sensitive and difficult to reconfigure. Here we introduce a pseudo-dynamic mapping that interprets static deformation fields as trajectories of fictitious particles evolving in engineered energy landscapes. This paradigm provides a forward design strategy in which reshaping potential symmetry and bifurcation structure prescribes diverse reprogrammable solitonic domain-wall-lattices in a single, defect-free metamaterial solely under uniform loading. We demonstrate initiation, modulation, inversion, melting, and annihilation of these patterns, governed by a tunable bifurcation landscape. Predictions are validated through simulation and experiment, culminating in a mechanical display that encodes digital information via domain-wall-bits. This approach bridges nonlinear field theory with practical pattern reprogramming, offering a versatile route for programmable design in architected and adaptive materials.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2026-05-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-73096-y
Primary Topic
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A pseudo-dynamic paradigm for reprogramming domain-wall-lattices in architected solids

Chang Chen, Yuan Zhou, Zhixuan Wen, Mingchao Liu et al.
Nature Communications
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
article

A pseudo-dynamic paradigm for reprogramming domain-wall-lattices in architected solids

Chang Chen, Yuan Zhou, Zhixuan Wen, Mingchao Liu, Yafei Zhang
article en

Abstract

From Renaissance drapery to tissue morphogenesis, pattern formation exemplifies how geometry and constraints generate complex structures. In soft and architected matter, motifs such as creases, kinks, and domain walls function as order-parameter textures mediating structural transitions. Yet deterministic and reprogrammable control of such patterns remains a central challenge: conventional geometry-based strategies hardwire functionality into structure, leaving deformation modes defect-sensitive and difficult to reconfigure. Here we introduce a pseudo-dynamic mapping that interprets static deformation fields as trajectories of fictitious particles evolving in engineered energy landscapes. This paradigm provides a forward design strategy in which reshaping potential symmetry and bifurcation structure prescribes diverse reprogrammable solitonic domain-wall-lattices in a single, defect-free metamaterial solely under uniform loading. We demonstrate initiation, modulation, inversion, melting, and annihilation of these patterns, governed by a tunable bifurcation landscape. Predictions are validated through simulation and experiment, culminating in a mechanical display that encodes digital information via domain-wall-bits. This approach bridges nonlinear field theory with practical pattern reprogramming, offering a versatile route for programmable design in architected and adaptive materials.

Nature Communications
Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL), Peking University (CN), State Key Laboratory of Turbulence and Complex Systems, University of Birmingham (GB), University of Amsterdam (NL), Tsinghua University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Sustainable cities and communities
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
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A pseudo-dynamic paradigm for reprogramming domain-wall-lattices in architected solids — Chang Chen, Yuan Zhou, et al. · Nature Communications (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS