"Revolutionizing Topological Physics with a Novel Approach"

Researchers have developed a model-free experimental method for identifying topological features in mechanical metamaterials, allowing for the discovery of new topological materials without the need for complex theoretical frameworks. By selectively probing the material and tracking resulting movements, the researchers identified "mechanical molecules" and determined their effective "polarization," making it easy to identify topological features. This approach is not limited to mechanical systems and could be applied to photonic or acoustic structures, making topology accessible to a broader range of physicists and engineers.