Out-of-equilibrium chemical logic systems: Light- and sound-controlled programmable spatiotemporal patterns and mechanical functions

Abstract

Living systems at different scales function through the sensing of multiple external signal inputs, which are further processed based on binary or more complicated computational models and networks. Inspired by such behavior, here, we show that the information processing in out-of-equilibrium chemical systems utilizing binary Boolean logic can be exploited to obtain transient functions such as spatiotemporally controlled chemical gradients and patterns in response to specific combination of multiple physical or chemical inputs (light, audible sound, and O-2). We further explore systems that are able to execute highly complicated functions such as guiding a cargo through a maze by processing the information from multiple external stimuli. Our approach of integrating and encoding binary Boolean logic within out-of-equilibrium chemical systems for the extraction of mechanical work to execute transient biomimicking functions can expand the realms of systems chemistry and related research and help us design smart materials.