Nonreciprocal Elasticity

Abstract: Nonreciprocity has been introduced to various fields to realize asymmetric, nonlinear, and/or time non-revisal physical systems. By virtue of the Maxwell-Betti reciprocal theorem, breaking the time-reversal symmetry of dynamic mechanical systems is only possible using nonlinear materials. Nonetheless, nonlinear materials should be accompanied by geometrical asymmetries to achieve nonreciprocity in static systems. Here, we further investigate this and demonstrate a novel nonreciprocal elasticity concept. We show that the nonreciprocity of static mechanical systems can be achieved only and only if the material exhibits nonreciprocal elasticity. We experimentally demonstrate linear and nonlinear materials with nonreciprocal elasticities. By means of topological mechanics, we demonstrate that the mechanical nonreciprocity requires nonreciprocal elasticity no matter what the material is linear or nonlinear elastic. We show that linear materials with nonreciprocal elasticity can realize nonreciprocal-topological systems. The nonreciprocal elasticity developed here will open new venues of the design of mechanical systems with effective nonreciprocity.