In one of our previous articles about hydrogels, we explained how they work: They swell when solvent molecules diffuse into polymer network memory polymer. “Smart materials” are considered to be the hydrogels and shape memory polymers. In the case of 4D printing though, a “smart material” is needed to make the printing process work successfully. In the case of 3D printing, the material used could be any of the 3D printing materials that exist on the market today. You can differentiate the two technologies by the material they use as input. In order to cause this change, this emerging kind of 3D printing material should be exposed to heat, light, electricity, moisture, or an environment with a specific pH.ĭiagram adapted from, re-drawn by Jean-Claude André | Scientific Advisor at INSIS In other words, it has the ability to change shape in various ways, and then come back to its original form, when an external energy is applied on it. Īccording to the report of the researchers on the topic, a shape memory polymer (SMP) is a kind of material that has the potential of showing large elastic deformation in response to environmental stimuli. Let’s have a look at this new trend in the 3D Printing field and get to know how a shape memory polymer can be a true revolution for the Additive Manufacturing industry. That said, along with the constant growth of 3D printing, we foresee the rise of a new technology: 4D printing. These materials are programmed to change shape over time. Shape memory polymers have nothing to do with the traditional 3D printing materials. While designers and scientists are focused on optimizing the 3D printing process in terms of design and manufacturing with a given range of rigid materials (such as 3D printing with plastics, resins or metals ), researchers of the MIT and the Singapore University of Technology and Design are looking in another direction. Additive Manufacturing is about using a single material for creating complex shapes and “impossible” geometries.
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