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Adaptnetic Structures

(Adaptive Magnetic Structures)

'Adaptnetic Structures' form a prototype that seeks to imagine a future where nanotechnology and materials research has given rise to sophisticated programmable matter, capable of changing its physical properties based on some kind of internal programming.

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Here a viscous non-Newtonian fluid has been mixed with nano-scale particles of magnetic iron oxide (Non-Newtonian fluids have distinguished properties, in this case becoming solid with the application of sudden pressure).​​

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With powerful neodymium magnets placed upon a raised platform, the magnetised non-Newtonian fluid is drawn up from underneath appearing to form additional support columns, which (due to their non-Newtonian properties)  provide resistance to sudden impacts. In this sense the fluid becomes a dynamic entity capable of re-arranging and concentrating itself where potentially needed.

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By certain schools of thought, this represents a form of simple programmable matter (where the programmable element can be seen as external to the material itself, in terms of the placement and arrangement of extrinsic magnetic fields).

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'Adaptnetic Structures', however, are only represented here as a prototype, and an indication of a future where sophisticated programmable matter may indeed form the basis of an architecture that constantly adapts to our ever changing needs.

 ©  2016  Alexander O.D. Lorimer

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