4D printing reconfigurable, deployable and mechanically tunable metamaterials. Issue 6 (29th March 2019) - Yang, Chen
Abstract : Digital 3D printing with a shape memory polymer is utilized to create mechanical metamaterials exhibiting dramatic and reversible changes in stiffness, geometry, and functions. Abstract : The exotic properties of mechanical metamaterials emerge from the topology of micro-structural elements. Once manufactured, however, the metamaterials have fixed properties without the ability to adapt and adjust. Here, we present geometrically reconfigurable, functionally deployable, and mechanically tunable lightweight metamaterials created through four-dimensional (4D) printing. Using digital micro 3D printing with a shape memory polymer, dramatic and reversible changes in the stiffness, geometry, and functions of the metamaterials are achieved.