BRITE Pivot: Emergent Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Dynamics of Odd Elastic Solids

线弹性已被广泛并成功地用于研究许多固体的力学行为和性质。然而，线弹性固体在机械上是被动的，不能在其周围做功。作为另一种途径，这一促进工程转型和公平进步的研究想法(BRITE)枢轴奖支持基础研究，以阐明奇数弹性固体或机械响应不对称的线弹性固体如何显示以前在量子力学系统中看到的独特动力学现象。这项研究的洞察力将为我们提供对使用简单的弹性固体控制、引导、重定向、衰减、放大和使用机械波能的新的和独特的方法的基本理解。由于这项研究的跨学科性质，这种理解可能会对一系列不同的领域产生重大影响，包括多功能超材料、能量收集、软机器人、凝聚态物理和振动控制。此外，该奖项将支持：将高中生纳入研究，将研究与教育相结合，以推广到高中生，并在机械工程课程中开发数字教育内容。线弹性侧重于具有对称刚度矩阵的固体，而奇性弹性侧重于刚度矩阵不对称的线弹性固体。这项研究旨在阐明使固体呈现非对称刚度矩阵的基本结构-性质关系，以及手性和非互易性之间的相互作用在控制固体中出现的奇异弹性行为中所起的作用。通过发展各向异性手征非互易弹性场理论，我们将捕捉到方向和手征非互易对奇异弹性固体的力学和非厄米动力学的影响。这一跨学科的努力将为非对称弹性固体实现紧急动力学行为和特性的机制带来新的见解，这些行为和特性在经典的线弹性固体和结构中是不可能的。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Linear elasticity has been widely and successfully used to study the mechanical behavior and properties of many solids. However, linear elastic solids are mechanically passive and cannot do work on their surroundings. As an alternative route, this Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering (BRITE) Pivot award supports fundamental research to elucidate how odd elastic solids, or linear elastic solids whose mechanical response is non-symmetric, can exhibit unique dynamical phenomena previously seen in quantum mechanical systems. Insights from this study will provide a fundamental understanding of novel and distinct approaches to controlling, guiding, redirecting, attenuating, amplifying, and using mechanical wave energy using simple, elastic solids. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this research, this understanding may significantly impact a diverse suite of fields, including multifunctional metamaterials, energy harvesting, soft robotics, condensed matter physics, and vibration control. In addition, this award will support: the inclusion of high school students in research, integration of research and education for outreach to high school students, and the development of digital educational content in mechanical engineering curricula. While linear elasticity focuses on solids having a symmetric stiffness matrix, odd elasticity focuses on linear elastic solids whose stiffness matrix is not symmetric. This research aims to elucidate the fundamental structure-property relationships that enable a solid exhibit a non-symmetric stiffness matrix, and furthermore, what role the interplay between chirality and nonreciprocity has in governing emergent odd elastic behavior in solids. By developing an anisotropic chiral, nonreciprocal elastic field theory, the effects of both directional and chiral nonreciprocity on the mechanics and non-Hermitian dynamics of odd elastic solids will be captured. This interdisciplinary effort will bring new insights into the mechanisms by which asymmetric elastic solids enable emergent dynamical behavior and properties that are not possible in classical, linear elastic solids and structures.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.