4D tech prints moveable, shape changing objects

Article By : EE Times Asia

Researchers at ETH Zurich are taking the idea of 4D printing up a notch by creating a construction principle that will allow them to control how flat structures change their configurations.

The use of 3D printing has become a standard in many research labs. However, some scientists are already looking into adding another dimension to the technology: time.

4D printing creates moveable and shape variable objects such as flat components that can be folded into three-dimensional objects at a later point, or even objects that can change their shape as a function of external influences. Kristina Shea, head of the Engineering Design and Computing Lab at ETH Zurich, and her group have now taken this approach one step further by developing a construction principle that allows them to control the deformation. "The flat structures we produce do not change their configuration randomly, but rather exactly in the way we design them," says Tian Chen, a doctoral student in Shea’s group. The structures can also support weight. The ETH scientists are the first to create these kinds of load-bearing 4D printed objects.

Element with two states

The structural principle depends on an actuating element developed by the scientists to take on two possible states: retracted or extended. The researchers combined these elements to create more complex structures. As the individual elements can assume only one of the two specific states, the researchers can predict the stable three-dimensional form of the overall structure. This also allows structures that can take on several stable forms. And as the researchers have also developed a simulation software, they can predict accurately the shapes and the force that must be applied to produce the deformation. This helps them in the design of the objects.

ETH Zurich element in two states (cr)
 

Figure 1: A single actuating element in its two states. It consists of a rigid (light) and elastic (dark) polymer. Source: Chen et al. Scientific Reports 2017.

The scientists printed their structures with a professional multi-material 3D printer, which can print objects from up to 40 different materials. The objects created by the ETH scientists comprise two of them: a rigid polymer that makes up most of the structure and an elastic polymer for the moving parts. The researchers print all parts in a single step.

Advantages and applications

"4D printing has several advantages," says Shea. "Printing a flat initial form with rigid and elastic sections in a single step is highly efficient. It would be much more complex and time-consuming to produce the three-dimensional object or assemble it from separate components." The flat structure also saves space in transport and can then be deployed at the final destination. Similar approaches have been used in aerospace for quite some time now; for example, to transport structures into space in a compressed space-saving state.

Aerospace is thus one possible application for 4D printing. But the scientists are also considering the simple construction of ventilation systems, systems for opening and closing valves, or medical applications such as stents.

Currently, the scientists are reconfiguring these structures by hand, but they are working on a drive for their elements that will extend the structures in reaction to temperature. They also say it might be possible to control the structures using pneumatic tubing (compressed air) or swelling materials that change shape depending on humidity.

Virtual Event - PowerUP Asia 2024 is coming (May 21-23, 2024)

Power Semiconductor Innovations Toward Green Goals, Decarbonization and Sustainability

Day 1: GaN and SiC Semiconductors

Day 2: Power Semiconductors in Low- and High-Power Applications

Day 3: Power Semiconductor Packaging Technologies and Renewable Energy

Register to watch 30+ conference speeches and visit booths, download technical whitepapers.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Leave a comment