Engineers draw inspiration from geometrical frustration to create programmable surfaces

https://techxplore.com/news/2022-10-geometrical-frustration-programmable-surfaces.html

"phenomenon that physicists call frustration. In geometry, frustration is a feature that stops a pattern from propagating across a wide space—like a jagged rock in a snowfield. With the adjustable cells, the researchers can introduce frustration into structures. They use this to change the properties of the surface. They can do so over wide areas and small spots... frustration is defect by design... can use it in way that is interesting... medical devices, architecture, robotics and aerospace"