Lastly, perspectives and potential challenges facing 4D printing of LCEs are discussed. Within this scope, we elucidate the relationships among external stimuli, tailorable morphologies in mesophases of liquid crystals, and programmable topological configurations of printed parts. Promising potentials of printed complexes include fields of soft robotics, optics, and biomedical devices.
In this review, we collect recent advances in 4D printing of LCEs, with emphases on synthesis and processing methods that enable microscopic changes in the molecular orientation and hence macroscopic changes in the properties of end-use objects. 4-dimensional printing (4D printing also known as 4D bioprinting, active origami, or shape-morphing systems) uses the same techniques of 3D printing through computer-programmed deposition of material in successive layers to create a three-dimensional object. By patterning order to structures, LCEs demonstrate reversible high-speed and large-scale actuations in response to external stimuli, allowing for close integration with 4D printing and architectures of digital devices, which is scarcely observed in homogeneous soft polymer networks. Unlike 3D printing, 4D printing allows the printed part to change its shape and function with time in response to change in external conditions such as temperature, light, electricity, and water. The past 5 years have witnessed rapid advances in both 4D printing processes and materials. Owing to diverse polymeric forms and self-alignment molecular behaviors, LCEs have fascinated state-of-the-art efforts in various disciplines other than the traditional low-molar-mass display market. 4D printing has attracted great interest since the concept was introduced in 2012. While we found the deformations could be applied and reversed repeatedly, the material degraded after a while, so we need to improve its long-term durability.Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are polymer networks exhibiting anisotropic liquid crystallinity while maintaining elastomeric properties. But even so, this is just scratching the surface – in the future we aim to produce larger structures which can handle more complex transformations, as well as smaller, miniaturised models which can be used in the body. This was a proof of concept for self-transforming materials, with an easy production process and an available suite of tools to customise and analyse the process. Individually designed cardiac tubes are one good example. There are many more uses these could be put to if they can be manufactured to change shape and function without external intervention from a surgeon. There are also uses for pre-programmed self-deforming materials in healthcare – researchers are printing biocompatible components that can be implanted in the human body.
A growing concern regarding 3D and 4D printing is the byproducts which sometimes are toxic nanoplastics 16. The inaugural show was hosted by Tony Hawk and aired on February 25, 2011. The materials in 4D printing must respond in real-time, respond in more than one environmental state, be intelligent, have a predictable response, and have a local response to the event 14, 15. Childcare products that can react to humidity or temperature, for example, or clothes and footwear that optimise their form and function by reacting to changes in the environment. 4711 Hope Valley Road 4D Durham, NC 27707 (919) 937-2922. We imagine there’s a wide range of applications such as home appliances and products that can adapt to heat or moisture to improve comfort or add functionality.
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