We explore the frontier of materials science with our research on mechanical prions—self-assembling structures inspired by biological prions. Our work introduces a biologically inspired model using bar-joint linkage systems to replicate the key properties of prions, including conformational change, self-replication, and polymerization. By combining theoretical modeling with experimental demonstrations, we propose designs for mechanical prions with potential applications in nanotechnology, drug delivery, and self-assembling materials. This work pioneers a new class of dynamic, programmable structures with transformative possibilities for both natural and synthetic systems.

[1] Ouellet, M., Bassett, D. S., Bassett, L. C., Murphy, K. A., & Patankar, S. P. (2024). Mechanical prions: Self-assembling microstructures. ArXiv Preprint ArXiv:2402.10939.