3D Printed Reversible Shape Changing Components with Stimuli Responsive Materials.

ABSTRACT: The creation of reversibly-actuating components that alter their shapes in a controllable manner in response to environmental stimuli is a grand challenge in active materials, structures, and robotics. Here we demonstrate a new reversible shape-changing component design concept enabled by 3D printing two stimuli responsive polymers-shape memory polymers and hydrogels-in prescribed 3D architectures. This approach uses the swelling of a hydrogel as the driving force for the shape change, and the temperature-dependent modulus of a shape memory polymer to regulate the time of such shape change. Controlling the temperature and aqueous environment allows switching between two stable configurations - the structures are relatively stiff and can carry load in each - without any mechanical loading a

SUBMITTER: Mao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4842966 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature