Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025
05:43
Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots
Published on: January 13, 2023
3.0K
3D-printed liquid metal polymer composites as NIR-responsive 4D printing soft robot.
Liwen Zhang1, Xumin Huang1, Tim Cole2
1Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
Nature Communications
|November 28, 2023
Summary
This study introduces 4D printing using liquid metal nanoparticles in 3D-printed resins. These novel composites exhibit rapid, light-induced shape recovery, paving the way for advanced soft robotics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- 4D printing leverages 3D printing and nanomaterials for stimuli-responsive, shape-morphing materials.
- Liquid metal nanoparticles offer unique properties for advanced material fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel 4D printable liquid metal-polymer composites.
- To demonstrate light-responsive shape memory functionalities in 3D-printed materials.
Main Methods:
- Grafting reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization agents onto liquid metal nanoparticles.
- Utilizing ultraviolet light-mediated stereolithographic 3D printing.
- Incorporating nanoparticles into 3D-printed resins via a one-pot approach.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated liquid metal-polymer composites using a facile one-pot method.
- Demonstrated near-infrared light-responsive 4D printing with programmed shape memory.
- Achieved rapid shape recovery (60 seconds) under light irradiation due to photothermal effects.
Conclusions:
- Liquid metal nanoparticles reduce the glass transition temperature, tensile stress, and modulus of 3D-printed materials.
- This approach offers a new perspective for liquid metal-polymer composites in 4D printing.
- Highlights potential applications in the field of soft robotics.
