In this Letter, we consider the dynamics of a multi-stable metamaterial with an elastic substrate to realize a mechanical system within which the position of a transition wavefront can be precisely controlled and remotely determined. This ability is enabled, in part, by a (strain-)tunable potential energy landscape that conveys the wavefront from one stabilizing defect site to another. In separating two acoustically distinct domains, the wavefront reflects small-amplitude waves of appropriate frequency back toward the source whereupon the time interval between excitation and echo reveals the position of the front. In a numerical study, we exploit these mechanisms for mechanical multi-level memory, which may find applications, e.g., in soft robots as a flexible alternative to current rigid memory technologies. More generally, we anticipate that the concepts presented here toward a command of the transition wave position will enhance the development and applicability of multi-stable metamaterials.

中文翻译：

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来自多稳态超材料的机械多级记忆

在这封信中，我们考虑了具有弹性基板的多稳态超材料的动力学，以实现一个机械系统，在该系统中可以精确控制和远程确定过渡波前的位置。这种能力部分是通过（应变）可调势能景观实现的，该势能景观将波前从一个稳定缺陷位点传送到另一个位点。在分离两个声学上不同的域时，波前将适当频率的小振幅波反射回源，因此激发和回声之间的时间间隔揭示了波前的位置。在一项数值研究中，我们将这些机制用于机械多级记忆，这可能会找到应用程序，例如，在软机器人中作为当前刚性记忆技术的灵活替代方案。更普遍，