Memories and motifs in massively multistable materials
| When |
Nov 20, 2025
from 11:00 to 12:00 |
|---|---|
| Where | Amphi SVT |
| Attendees |
Paul Baconnier |
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The ability of complex materials to transition between states produces memory effects where the response depends on the driving history. Simple models capture one class of so-called return-point memory by assuming a description based on collections of non-interacting two-state elements called hysterons. While hysteron interactions generally occur, their relevance is unclear, their magnitude and character is difficult to asses, and whether they produce observable nontrivial memories is an open question. Here we introduce a systematic method to classify and categorize observable memory effects in systems with interactions using motifs. We show that three massively multistable materials - shape memory alloys, steel wool, and crumpled sheets - all exhibit multiple memories consistent with the leading non-trivial motifs, unambiguously evidencing the importance of interactions. We use the magnitude of these effects to distinguish between different interaction strengths and types, and show how to externally control their strength. Altogether, our work proposes a new promising tool for studying cyclic memory effects in frustrated and disordered media.