Smart materials & methods.,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 1 - 56
Published: Nov. 3, 2024
Three-dimensional
(3D)
and
four-dimensional
(4D)
discontinuous
continuous
fibre-reinforced
polymers
(FPRs)
play
a
crucial
role
in
developing
innovative
functional
soft
actuators,
sensors,
structures.
These
advanced
materials
are
key
to
creating
robots
with
various
capabilities,
including
self-sensing,
self-healing,
self-assembly,
self-deployment,
shape
memory.
This
work
reviews
3D
4D
printable
robotic
systems
that
incorporate
both
fibre
reinforcements.
It
covers
printing
technologies,
modelling,
applications,
capabilities
properties.
The
technologies
used
for
fabricating
these
presented
explained,
highlighting
their
working
principles,
advantages,
drawbacks.
In
addition,
an
in-depth
discussion
is
provided
on
the
current
status
of
above-mentioned
systems.
A
dedicated
section
also
explores
advancements
needed
materials,
fibres
propel
field
forward.
main
goal
this
highlight
importance
potential
FRPs
printed
devices
using
AM
technologies.
Additionally,
aim
identify
discuss
any
research
gaps
need
be
addressed
further
its
advancement.
European Polymer Journal,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
216, P. 113289 - 113289
Published: July 9, 2024
One
of
the
major
challenges
in
4D
printed
Shape
Memory
Polymers
(SMPs)
is
their
slow
response
to
thermal
stimuli.
Synthetic
carbon
fillers
have
been
introduced
address
this
issue;
however,
use
comes
with
environmental
concerns.
On
other
hand,
Polylactic
Acid
(PLA)
commonly
used
for
3D/4D
printing
SMPs,
but
it
requires
softening
achieve
large
deformations.
This
research
paper
introduces
a
sustainable
solution
through
blending
PLA
Polybutylene
Adipate
Terephthalate
(PBAT)
that
not
only
addresses
these
also
possesses
eco-friendliness
due
PBAT's
high
biodegradability
rate.
PBAT
weight
percentages
15
%,
30
and
45
%
utilized
soften
PLA,
composites
are
successfully
printed.
Mechanical
properties,
shape
memory
effects,
morphology,
behaviors
comprehensively
investigated.
The
results
show
excellent
features
such
as
220
elongation
93
recovery
just
few
seconds.
two
PLA-PBAT
blends
complete
less
than
8
s.
contains
PBAT,
addition
strength
(40
MPa),
has
17
elongation.
This,
coupled
low
melting
temperature
drives
Scanning
electron
microscopy
images
finally
confirm
printability
all
three
blends,
composite
containing
exhibiting
best
quality
layer
interfaces
least
porosity.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 27, 2025
Abstract
4D
printing,
which
combines
the
design
freedom
of
3D
printing
with
responsiveness
smart
materials,
is
revolutionizing
creation
active
structures.
These
structures
can
change
shape
in
response
to
external
stimuli,
paving
way
for
advancements
robotics,
biomedicine,
and
beyond.
However,
a
comprehensive
review
article
highlighting
recent
printed
memory
actuators
(SMAAs)
lacking.
This
explores
exciting
potential
intelligent
SMAAs.
It
examines
concept
materials
used,
like
shape‐memory
polymers
(SMPs),
alloys
(SMAs),
polymer
composites
(SMPCs).
then
dives
into
compatible
techniques
principles
achieving
programmed
changes.
Different
categories
SMAAs
are
explored,
showcasing
their
applications
diverse
fields.
The
concludes
by
discussing
challenges
future
directions,
emphasizing
massive
creating
next
generation
actuators,
making
it
valuable
resource
researchers
field.
Advanced Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
11(38)
Published: Aug. 9, 2024
Actuators
based
on
shape
memory
polymers
and
composites
incorporating
nanomaterial
additives
have
been
extensively
studied;
achieving
both
high
output
stress
precise
change
by
low-cost,
scalable
methods
is
a
long-term-desired
yet
challenging
task.
Here,
conventional
(polyurea)
carbon
nanotube
(CNT)
fillers
are
combined
to
fabricate
reinforced
composite
fibers
with
exceptional
actuation
performance,
wet-spinning
method
amenable
for
continuous
production.
It
found
that
thermal-induced
shrinkage
step
could
obtain
densified
strong
fibers,
the
presence
of
CNTs
effectively
promotes
tensile
orientation
polymer
molecular
chains,
leading
much
improved
mechanical
properties.
Consequently,
CNT/
polyurea
exhibit
stresses
as
33
MPa
within
0.36
s
during
thermal
actuation,
up
22
upon
electrical
stimulation
enabled
built-in
conductive
CNT
networks.
Utilizing
flexible
thin
various
behavior
also
demonstrated
including
conversion
between
different
structures/curvatures,
recovery
predefined
simple
patterns.
This
high-performance
capable
produced
low-cost
materials
fabrication
process,
may
find
many
potential
applications
in
wearable
devices,
robotics,
biomedical
areas.
Advanced Engineering Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 29, 2025
Over
the
past
two
decades,
remarkable
advancements
have
been
achieved
in
stimulus‐responsive
shape‐memory
polymers
(SMPs),
which
exhibit
desirable
properties
such
as
characteristics,
deformability,
and
biocompatibility,
while
responding
to
external
stimuli.
The
development
of
polymer
composites
(SMPCs)
leads
high
recovery
forces
novel
functionalities,
including
electrical
actuation,
magnetic
biocompatibility.
enhanced
remotely
controllable
functionality
further
expand
application
SMPs
biomedical
areas,
surgical
applications
for
replacing
handheld
instruments
drug
delivery
systems.
In
this
review,
device
SMPCs
are
focused
on
their
recent
bone
tissue
scaffolds,
lumen
stents,
carriers
examined.
Furthermore,
bottlenecks
challenges
encountered
by
devices
elucidated.
future
trend
is
also
discussed,
aiming
provide
valuable
insights
broadening
fields.
Polymer Composites,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 12, 2025
Abstract
Four‐dimensional
(4D)
printing,
as
a
revolutionary
additive
manufacturing
technology,
is
receiving
increasing
attention
and
research
nowadays.
Further,
the
combination
of
4D
printing
continuous
fiber‐reinforced
polymer
composites
(CFRPCs)
has
provided
new
ideas
for
designing
composite
structures
with
customized
functions.
Herein,
systematic
analysis
status
printed
CFRPCs
presented.
Smart
materials
such
shape
memory
polymers
(SMPs)
can
be
utilized
to
manufacture
achieve
change
over
time.
Firstly,
mechanism
SMPs
analyzed,
process
introduced.
Furthermore,
matrix,
fiber
reinforcements,
actuation
methods
are
classified
elaborated.
Subsequently,
various
CFRPCs,
including
honeycomb
structures,
auxetic
active
origami,
summarized.
Moreover,
application
prospects
technology
in
different
fields
discussed.
Finally,
an
outlook
on
future
development
directions
provided.
Highlights
The
Different
kinds
classified.
An
Purpose
Additive
manufacturing
(AM)
is
one
of
the
nine
pillars
design-fabrication
cycle
in
Industry
4.0.
However,
although
some
limitations
hinder
its
full
implementation
our
quotidian,
a
new
concept
already
emerging:
4D
printing
(4DP).
Conceptually,
4D-printed
parts
are
additive
manufactured
with
stimuli-responsive
materials,
able
to
self-adapting
or
self-assembly
when
exposed
correct
stimuli.
Although
this
an
establish
reality,
due
lack
normalized
ASTM/ISO
standard
published
confusing
and,
sometimes,
opposite
directions
that
almost
present
it
as
myth.
Design/methodology/approach
This
article
reviews
current
4DP
applications,
discusses
their
shortcomings
addressing
approach
and
synthesizes
scientific
contributions.
Based
on
synthesis,
paper
theorizes
progress
topic.
Findings
remains
emerging
technological
tool
requiring
further
research
achieve
widespread
adoption.
reversibility
implied
definition
4DP,
only
119
out
1,303
papers
Web
Science
database
(as
review
writing
date)
address
reversible
shape
transformation.
Inquisitive
debates
must
be
conducted
consensual
terminology,
standardized
production
regulatory
investment
characterization
methodologies.
Originality/value
From
status,
questions
arose
whether
reality
sometimes
considered
myth,
often
misapplied.
provides
in-depth
discussion
conceptualization
urgent
need
standards
for
structures.
The
scalability
structures
industrial
applications
challenges
put
products
market
also
explored.
