Programmable materials for architectural assembly and automation

• Published in: Assembly automation Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 216 - 225
• Main Authors: Tibbits, Skylar, Cheung, Kenny
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bingley Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Architecture; Assembly; Automation; Construction; Decision making; Design; Information storage; Logic; Onsite; Optimization; Studies; Material computation; Self-assembly; Physical properties of materials; Automated assembly; Construction materials; Self-replication; Programmable materials; Logic matter
• ISSN: 0144-5154; 2754-6969; 1758-4078; 2754-6977
• DOI: 10.1108/01445151211244348

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explain a current implementation of a programmable and computational material, Logic Matter, and to describe potential applications for computational materials and self-guided assembly.Design methodology approach - Following an introduction, the paper describes the types of information currently found in architectural construction, then introduces Logic Matter, a building block embodying physical digital logic. Examples of structural optimization and construction scenarios are given, to demonstrate the benefits of programmable and computational physical materials for assembly.Findings - Logic Matter demonstrates a prototype with embedded digital logic and programmability, offering new applications for automated assembly, online material analysis and physical computing.Originality value - The paper describes the existing types of architectural construction information and proposes a novel application of programmable and computational material for automated assembly.