Researchers demo 3D-printed, shape-shifting objects
Researchers have demonstrated the ability to 3D print objects that can then change shape, even folding and unfolding, when heated through an electrical current or with ambient air temperature.
The scientists, with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California, used what they described as "smart ink" made from soybean oil along with polymers and carbon nanofibers, which they were able to "program" into a temporary shape at an engineered temperature that was determined by the chemical composition.
The technology, the researchers said, could have applications in healthcare, in aerospace for solar arrays or antennae that can unfold, and for flexible circuits and robotic devices.
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