Physics

Longitudinal wave

Nonlinear system

Domain wall (magnetism)

Magnetization

Mathematics

Domain (mathematical analysis)

Mechanical wave

Mechanics

Gene

Magnetic field

Optics

Metamaterial

Mathematical analysis

Transition (genetics)

Chemistry

Condensed matter physics

Quantum mechanics

Wave propagation

Biochemistry

Classical mechanics

Physical Review Applied

We experimentally, numerically, and analytically investigate transition waves in a mechanical metamaterial comprising a chain of tristable elements. Transition waves can be initiated from different stable phases within the highly tunable tristable energy landscape. These waves propagate via coupled translational and rotational motion that leads to formation of stationary domain walls if transition waves of incompatible type collide. Since domain formation and propagation is fully reversible, the unique nonlinear behavior could be exploited in new classes of reconfigurable metamaterials.

Transition Waves and Formation of Domain Walls in Multistable Mechanical Metamaterials