Shape Formation by Self-Disassembly in Programmable Matter Systems

Abstract

Programmable matter systems are composed of small, intelligent modules able to form a variety of macroscale objects with specific material properties in response to external commands or stimuli. While many programmable matter systems have been proposed in fiction, (Barbapapa,Changelings from Star Trek, the Terminator, and Transformers), and academia, a lack of suitable hardware and accompanying algorithms prevents their full realization. With this thesis research,we aim to create a system of miniature modules that can form arbitrary structures on demand.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA562622

Entities

People

  • Kyle W. Gilpin

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Autonomy
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Assembly
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
  • Construction
  • Control Systems
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Fabrication
  • Flexible Electronics
  • Magnetic Materials
  • Materials
  • Operating Systems
  • Power Electronics
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Educational Psychology
  • Robotics and Automation.