4-D printing reversible shape changing materials with light-based grayscale patterning
September 4, 2018 by Thamarasee Jeewandara, Phys.org feature
Reversible shape change is a highly desirable property for many biomedical applications, including mechanical actuators, soft robotics and artificial muscles. Some materials can change size or shape when irradiated with light, triggering mechanical deformation without direct contact offering prospects for remote control. To engineer reversible, shape changing (RSC) structures—active materials that respond to external stimuli such as light, heat or electric fields are used together with other nonactive materials. Although advanced multi-material 3-D printing has enabled the design and fabrication of RSC structures, only specific materials can be printed, restricting broad use.
Read more at:
https://phys.org/news/2018-09-d-reversible-materials-light-based-grayscale.html#jCp
