4D Printed Actuators with Soft‐Robotic Functions

Abstract: Soft matter elements undergoing programed, reversible shape change can contribute to fundamental advance in areas such as optics, medicine, microfluidics, and robotics. Crosslinked liquid crystalline polymers have demonstrated huge potential to implement soft responsive elements; however, the complexity and size of the actuators are limited by the current dominant thin‐film geometry processing toolbox. Using 3D printing, stimuli‐responsive liquid crystalline elastomeric structures are created here. The printing process prescribes a reversible shape‐morphing behavior, offering a new paradigm for active polymer system preparation. The additive character of this technology also leads to unprecedented geometries, complex functions, and sizes beyond those of typical thin‐films. The fundamental concepts and devices presented therefore overcome the current limitations of actuation energy available from thin‐films, thereby narrowing the gap between materials and practical applications.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: 4D Printed Actuators with Soft‐Robotic Functions ; volume:39 ; number:5 ; year:2018 ; extent:7 ; Macromolecular rapid communications ; 39, Heft 5 (2018) (gesamt 7)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: López‐Valdeolivas, María ; Liu, Danqing ; Broer, Dirk J. ; Sánchez‐Somolinos, Carlos

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/marc.201700710
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022090806531785648461
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:25 AM CEST