Multimaterial 4D printing with a tunable bending model

Abstract

Shape-memory polymer (SMP)-based functional structures may now be produced more efficiently via four-dimensional (4D) printing, benefiting from the recent advances in multi-material three-dimensional printing technologies. Composite material design using 4D printing has opened new possibilities for customizing the shape memory property of smart polymers. This work studies a design strategy to harness desirable morphing by 4D printing multimaterial composites with a focus on the detailed finite element (FE) procedure, experimental results, and soft robotic application. Composites with bilayer laminates consisting of a SMP and a flexible elastomer are constructed with variable thickness ratios..