Dynamic reconfiguration of magneto-elastic lattices

The dynamic reconfiguration of two-dimensional (2D) magneto-elastic structures is studied with the goal of enabling the design of reconfigurable architectured materials. Changes in magnetization modify the energy landscape of hexagonal lattices and lead to their reconfiguration as a result of the application of a dynamic input. Such reconfiguration significantly alters the dynamics of the structure and its mechanical properties. Energy landscapes and the dynamics of reconfiguration are analyzed through the detailed study of a unit cell and the description of loci of equilibrium within the energy landscape, as well as numerical simulations on finite lattices undergoing reconfiguration. Results show the occurrence of a transition front propagating within the 2D structures according to a triangular pattern bounded by transition bands that separate different orientation domains within the structure.