Inverse design framework for 4D printed structures using the finite element method.

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we present an inverse design framework based on the finite element method (FEM) tailored for 4D printed structures capable of undergoing programmable, stimulus-responsive shape transformations over time. In contrast to conventional forward simulations, which predict deformation from a given initial configuration, our inverse approach seeks to determine the required printed geometry that will evolve into a desired final shape under specific external stimuli. The proposed framework incorporates viscoelasticity, geometric nonlinearity and time-dependent behavior into the FEM solver, formulating the inverse design task as an optimization problem. It enables users to specify custom target shapes and boundary conditions, thereby providing the flexibility needed to address a wide r

SUBMITTER: Liu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12660970 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature