Recently, in conjunction with direct ink writing (DIW) technology and shape memory polymers, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the United States 3D printed a silicone structure with shape memory. After deformation, these structures can be restored to their previous shape.
This shape-changing silicone structure has a wide range of applications, especially in the medical industry. According to LLNL researchers, these 3D printed silicone structures can be used to make "wearable protective pads" that can be activated at certain temperatures. The study has been published in the journal Scientific Reports entitled "3D Printing Silicone with Shape Memory."
By exploring the "layered porosity" in their 3D printed silicones, LLNL researchers found that they can customize the mechanical response and introduce functionality into the material. How is this achieved? Combine 3D printed structural pores with "chain holes"! The inner hole of the chain is obtained by adding hollow gas-filled microspheres to the printing ink.
“We demonstrated for the first time that 3D printed porous elastomers can have shape memory by simply adding polymer microspheres with controlled shell glass transition temperatures,†the researchers said. “This is a completely new approach.â€
For 3D printing of this silicone structure, the researchers used a 3-axis 3D printer to extrude a viscoelastic ink with highly controlled rheological behavior using a micro-nozzle. After the printing was completed, they tested the structure and compressed the structure before hot soaking, after which the printed structure was successfully restored to its previous shape. Researchers say their future work "includes multi-material printing and embedded mixing to further adjust structure, porosity and material properties."
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