Programmable Matter with Free and High‐Resolution Transfiguration and Locomotion

Abstract

Abstract“hot flow in the cold changes shape in a dead world comes matter to life”Programmable matter that allows free shape transfiguration and locomotion on command promises ubiquitous access to objects or functions of interest. Current approaches for the autonomous reshaping of solid objects (smart materials, soft actuators, modular robotics) are limited in spatial resolution and shape. Solid‐liquid phase change pumping as a mechanism for the contactless transfiguring and locomotion of solid objects is introduced. Thin objects are deformed into any intended shape with sub‐millimeter resolution and the ability to freely change their topology is demonstrated, including adding or removing holes, splitting and merging. The unique locomotion of objects through millimeter‐sized constrictions narrower than their body size is demonstrated, followed by restoring the original shape. This approach opens up avenues for developing autonomous programmable matter with free shape transfiguration.