Fig. 1: Representational Image of Programmable Matter
As computing becomes cheaper and faster, machines become faster and smarter. In the previous century, computers were only accessible to a small fraction of society, such as large business or educational institutions, and could only be operated by experts, but as time progressed, so did technology. Today's computers are as cheap as the average monthly rental and can be used by even a 5-year-old child. When they are available to such a large portion of the population, more people find better ways to integrate computing with other sectors to establish a more efficient global system. One of the industries that was affected by this is the Manufacturing Industry, which started to manufacture parts for personal use. “Personal Manufacturing” gained momentum with the invention of 3D printers, where you can design your own parts in CAD (Computer Aided Design) software and then create a physical replica of your model using computer-guided tools. Personal 3D printers are becoming very popular these days, making them a common sight in educational institutions. But does it stop here? If not, what else can we do to advance this technology?
As we often do, we look to nature for an answer. The genetic data present in each living cell provides the cell with all the information needed to form an entire living organism by forming entirely different parts using similar building blocks. What if the molecules of matter could be programmed in a similar way to change their properties according to what is required of them? Such as optical properties, density, elasticity, crystal structure, etc. What if individual molecules could build themselves using the information given to them? Matter that can be built, healed and changed when necessary. This is what the concept of “Programmable Matter” tries to achieve.
Fig. 2: Symbolic Image Showing Concept of Programmable Matter
Programmable Matter – Introduction
Programmable matter is a form of digital matter or 'smart matter' that has the ability to perform functions such as sensing, computing and actuation, allowing it to change the dynamics of its properties. A block of programmable matter would contain thousands of tiny microrobots that would interact with each other to function as a unitary entity. Imagine a mechanic's entire toolbox integrated into a single device, a wrench that can transform into a screwdriver and then pliers, all while remaining in the mechanic's hand. The capabilities this concept could achieve are limitless and could help reach a stage of maturity in this semiconductor era we live in today. The programmable matter does not necessarily need to be in a solid state, it can even be a liquid that can respond to the code, such as non-Newtonian ferromagnetic fluids or even programmable solid matter mixed in viscous fluids to be used as a spray in a smart mixture.
The approach to this problem can be approached in two directions:
-
The stimuli necessary to cause change in matter can come from an external source, that is, through the application of heat, pressure, voltage, light, electric or magnetic fields; one can manipulate the relationship that the change has with the stimuli with the property of interest.
-
The second way is to program individual units (internal stimuli) with computational capacity so that they can calculate their own change and implement it themselves. The command can be pre-fed into them or receive the command dynamically from the user or the environment. A good example of this approach is “Claytronics”.
Figure 3: Photos showing DARPA Origami foldable programming matter
In programmable matter, size is an important factor that plays a role in determining the three-dimensional resolution of the object. A basic unit of programmable matter
it must have a power source, processing capacity, communication modules, detection and actuation, etc. All of this fitting into a small object depends on the sizes of the individual elements and are therefore differentiated from the centimeter scale to the micrometer and nanometer scales. The nanometer scale is far ahead of the concept of quantum dots, which are artificial atoms that can confine electrical charge in all three dimensions. The micrometer scale involves the use of MEMS-based units, which are small robots built with Nano devices.
Claytronics
Claytronics
A combination of nano-robotics and computer science, Claytronics combines all of this into tiny nanometer (10 -9 m) scaling robots that can interact with each other to form physical objects as required by the user. Each individual Nano robot behaves like an atom or a basic building block of the object and are therefore called claytronic atoms or “Catoms”. Each Catom is part of a large computerized network that communicates with other catoms and identifies itself based on its assigned role. With the help of atoms, matter can assume any shape imaginable. The ring on your finger can turn into a bottle opener and a spatula in the kitchen can turn into a knife. If Claytronics is implemented through biological matter, you can even transform your food into whatever you want. Claytronics is a current topic of research, much of which is being done at Carnegie Melon University, Intel Research Laboratories, and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), which hope to bring this concept to reality in the coming decades. . DARPA, however, is trying to develop claytronics for defense and combat purposes, the most popular of which is designing shape-shifting robots that can flow like mercury through the smallest openings (much like the evil T-1000 robots of Terminator liquefaction – 2) .
There are many complexities involved in using claytronics. Complex software implementation is one of them. To give instructions to the Catoms, we must first create the command logic and the logic to create a 3D object from millions of identical elements is not that simple. One of the problems is that catoms identify their individual function. Taking a hammer, for example, how the catoms will decide which ones form the head and which ones form the handle. This constitutes a complication of function assignment and will need to take into account the spatial locations of all atoms, the orientation of the final product and the paths involved (to avoid path interference). Current research is focused on the concept of Modular Reconfigurable Robotics (MRR) combined with complex high-level programming called “Locally Distributed Predicates”. In 2005, researchers developed 44 mm diameter cylindrical catoms that would bond to each other through electromagnet attraction. But, with the shrinkage of the electronic current, it is possible to manufacture cylindrical catoms of 1 mm in diameter produced by the photolithography process and controlled by electromagnetic attraction and repulsion. Electromagnets are placed along the circumference of the cylinder (24 in number). Researchers at Carnegie Melon University have developed several prototype catoms in different shapes, cubes, cylinders, spheres, balloons, etc.
Fig. 4: An example of programmable matter
Figure 5: Images showing Clatom MEMS units
Application Highlights – 3D Fax, Video Interface
Let's try to imagine them through examples. Suppose your company, located in India, has created a new design for a fuel injection valve and wants to present it to your client, an automobile company in Japan. The conventional way would be to mail them the drafts of the design and the CAD model that they would again have to analyze and recreate in their environment. But with 3D faxing, you could place the 3D model of the product in a muddy mass of Catoms in India, which would scan the object's spatial information and communicate it to the fax machine in Japan. The machine in Japan would recreate the 3D object using the integration of atoms at the receiving end forming an exact physical replica of the model.
Now imagine, instead of an inanimate object, imagine that your own movements are scanned by different sensors and the data is communicated to the receiver. The catoms would create a replica of your body and track your movements live to mimic the Claytronic replica. This gives a whole new dimension to video chatting. Soldiers stationed at distant stations can now witness their newborn babies that they would otherwise miss, or teachers in cities take classes for the less privileged in rural areas (if rural areas still exist at that time) or give life to video games.
Fig. 6: Implementation of programmable matter in Swarm robots Application
Conclusion
Programmable Matter is a distant concept that a decade ago was just a science fiction concept. Now that research is closing this gap, it is important to understand the implications it will have on society. It will be as important as the invention of the computer or the internet. Looking at the similarities they have, both find application in almost any field there is, both can be programmed to synchronize with the specific needs of the user. Therefore, we can surmise the future of programmable matter by comparing it with the path that computing has taken. Although developments are occurring at a rapid pace (in accordance with Moore's Law), it will take some time to become a commercial reality. Computers also took a few decades to transform from large, expensive laboratory equipment to indispensable household equipment.
Just like computing, with the pros being numerous, there is always a major concern: Security! Hacking computers poses big problems, but what if a catom system is hacked? His own chair could hold him hostage. This will pose a problem, but not immediately, and such a problem has not stopped the growth of computing. As this technology grows, so do security measures that prevent computer piracy. The next problem that may arise is unemployment, not because of a lack of qualifications, but because there will be nothing left for the person to do.
We have been on Earth for a tiny fraction of its existence and now we are on the brink of creating a digital life form. It really portrays the true capability of what we can achieve if we can only imagine. The maturity of programmable matter may or may not happen within our generation, but whenever it emerges, it will be for the better and will propel human development into a new dimension.
Fig. 7: Image showing self-folding straw