Advanced Intelligent Systems,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 1, 2025
4D
printing
with
carbon
nanotube
(CNT)‐reinforced
polymers
enables
advanced
shape‐changing
materials
but
faces
challenges
in
CNT
dispersion
and
performance.
This
study
addresses
these
limitations
by
functionalizing
CNTs
polyethylene
glycol
(PEG),
significantly
enhancing
interfacial
bonding
within
biocompatible
polyvinyl
chloride
(PVC)‐polycaprolactone
(PCL)
composites.
The
composites,
tailored
for
biomedical
applications
a
glass
transition
temperature
(T
g
)
of
37–41
°C,
exhibit
enhanced
mechanical,
thermal,
shape‐memory
properties.
At
0.5
wt%
CNT,
the
composite
achieves
25%
increase
tensile
strength,
95.78%
shape
fixity,
5‐s
recovery
time,
offering
an
optimal
balance
flexibility,
rapid
recovery.
Higher
concentrations
(5
wt%)
further
improve
thermal
stability,
increasing
decomposition
20
°C
storage
modulus
670
MPa,
although
ductility
is
reduced.
PEG
grafting
prevents
agglomeration,
enabling
high
filler
loading
without
compromising
printability,
as
confirmed
through
uniform
nanoparticle
defect‐free
fused
deposition
modeling
(FDM)‐printed
structures.
These
intelligent
composites
combine
biocompatibility,
durability,
excellent
performance,
making
them
suitable
diverse
structural
applications,
such
adaptive
medical
devices,
ergonomic
shoe
soles,
wearable
biosensors.
novel
material
provides
versatile
platform
high‐performance,
4D‐printed
systems
that
address
current
polymer
nanocomposites
advance
engineering
innovations.
Virtual and Physical Prototyping,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
20(1)
Published: March 4, 2025
This
study
presents
a
0-to-270°
wide-pattern
reconfigurable
antenna
incorporating
shape
memory
hinge.
The
substrate
is
3D-printed
using
polymer
(SMP)
and
high-temperature
filaments,
with
stretchable
silver
ink
applied
via
screen
printing.
To
enable
reconfiguration
in
response
to
thermal
stimuli,
the
folding
section
fabricated
from
SMP.
Leveraging
end-fire
radiation
characteristics
of
quasi-Yagi
antenna,
hinge
adjusts
direction.
antenna's
performance
was
evaluated
at
angles
−180°,
−90°,
0°,
90°.
In
flat
position
(0°),
measured
−10
dB
bandwidth
ranges
4.26
5.48
GHz,
peak
gain
4.01–7.49
dBi.
bandwidths
α
=
90°
are
4.22–5.45,
4.26–5.47,
4.28–5.54
respectively,
corresponding
gains
3.22–6.72,
4.52–7.07,
5.01–7.24
These
results
demonstrate
stable
frequency
across
different
angles.
With
its
straightforward
design
fabrication
process,
proposed
enables
beam
direction
adjustment
over
wide
angular
range,
offering
novel
approach
pattern
antennas.
Polymers for Advanced Technologies,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
36(3)
Published: March 1, 2025
ABSTRACT
Spinal
fusion
cages
play
a
crucial
role
in
stabilizing
the
spine
and
promoting
bone
growth
degenerative
disorders.
Recent
advancements
biodegradable
polymer‐based
have
introduced
materials
with
shape
memory
properties,
enabling
minimally
invasive
implantation
improved
adaptability.
This
study
focuses
on
development
of
4D‐printed
PLA/PCL
blend
spinal
cages,
investigating
their
thermal,
mechanical,
biodegradation,
alongside
surface
wettability
through
contact
angle
measurements.
The
novelty
this
lies
identifying
optimal
ratio,
balancing
mechanical
strength,
biodegradability,
behavior
for
applications.
findings
highlight
(80:20)
as
most
suitable
composition,
offering
well‐balanced
combination
properties.
Differential
scanning
calorimetry
(DSC)
analysis
revealed
that
20
wt%
PCL
enhances
toughness,
flexibility,
crystallinity
while
slightly
reducing
glass
transition
temperature.
Mechanical
testing
showed
fracture
elongation
at
tensile
stress
peaking
before
decreasing
higher
concentrations
due
to
increased
ductility.
Biodegradation
studies
confirmed
an
increasing
degradation
rate
content,
measurements
indicated
greater
hydrophilicity,
though
trend
reversed
concentrations.
Shape
demonstrated
content
from
10
60
wt%,
recovery
decreased
76.07%
61.28%,
high
fixity
(96.42%–99.80%)
was
maintained.
PLA/PCL20
exhibited
74.5%
effect
68.75%
cage
design,
making
it
promising
material
Advanced Intelligent Systems,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 1, 2025
4D
printing
with
carbon
nanotube
(CNT)‐reinforced
polymers
enables
advanced
shape‐changing
materials
but
faces
challenges
in
CNT
dispersion
and
performance.
This
study
addresses
these
limitations
by
functionalizing
CNTs
polyethylene
glycol
(PEG),
significantly
enhancing
interfacial
bonding
within
biocompatible
polyvinyl
chloride
(PVC)‐polycaprolactone
(PCL)
composites.
The
composites,
tailored
for
biomedical
applications
a
glass
transition
temperature
(T
g
)
of
37–41
°C,
exhibit
enhanced
mechanical,
thermal,
shape‐memory
properties.
At
0.5
wt%
CNT,
the
composite
achieves
25%
increase
tensile
strength,
95.78%
shape
fixity,
5‐s
recovery
time,
offering
an
optimal
balance
flexibility,
rapid
recovery.
Higher
concentrations
(5
wt%)
further
improve
thermal
stability,
increasing
decomposition
20
°C
storage
modulus
670
MPa,
although
ductility
is
reduced.
PEG
grafting
prevents
agglomeration,
enabling
high
filler
loading
without
compromising
printability,
as
confirmed
through
uniform
nanoparticle
defect‐free
fused
deposition
modeling
(FDM)‐printed
structures.
These
intelligent
composites
combine
biocompatibility,
durability,
excellent
performance,
making
them
suitable
diverse
structural
applications,
such
adaptive
medical
devices,
ergonomic
shoe
soles,
wearable
biosensors.
novel
material
provides
versatile
platform
high‐performance,
4D‐printed
systems
that
address
current
polymer
nanocomposites
advance
engineering
innovations.
