4D printing technology, a further development of 3D printing, is becoming increasingly important worldwide. A team led by Professor Qi Ge from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) has now made important progress. By developing a mechanically robust adaptive network of shape memory polymers (MRC-SMP), they have been able to significantly increase the performance and precision of 4D printing. The research results were recently published in Science Advances.
The new MRC-SMP combines high mechanical properties with the ability to be reconfigured repeatedly without sacrificing shape memory capability or precision. Using a digital light processing (DLP) printer, high-resolution lattice structures can be printed that exhibit large deformations and can be permanently reconfigured through a transesterification-based reaction. This property allows both the original shape to be restored and new shapes to be created, such as a printed gripper that can transform from a flat to a gripping position.
A particular highlight is the combination of the reconfigurable properties of MRC-SMP with multi-material-based printing. This allows complex origami structures to be produced efficiently and precisely. These structures consist of flexible hinges made of MRC-SMP and rigid plates made of high-temperature resistant resin. The high glass transition temperature of MRC-SMP ensures that the origami objects remain stable at room temperature and can support heavy loads.
MRC-SMP technology makes 4D printing more versatile and efficient. The ability to print high-precision, reconfigurable structures opens up new applications in robotics, aerospace and functional material design. Qi Ge’s team’s research shows that 4D printing is not just a technical extension of 3D printing, but a transformative technology with far-reaching potential.
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