Bioinspired Pattern-Driven Single-Material 4D Printing for Self-Morphing Actuators

Four-dimensional (4D) printing of shape memory polymers is a leading research field due to the possibilities allowed by using these materials. The strain difference in structures that caused different stiffness profiles can be used influence shape-memory effect actuators. In this study, patterns on tested polylactic acid (PLA) actuators made shapes. Five bioinspired geometrical shapes, namely, circles, squares, hexagons, rhombuses, and triangles, are three-dimensional (3D) use shapes sizes along with combinations PLA carried out develop 40 designs. effects their characteristics analysed compared. self-bending angles range from 6.19° 30.86°, depending arrangement used. To demonstrate feasibility utilizing proposed designs practical applications, hand-like shaped gripper developed. results show grip objects uniform non-uniform cross-sections. developed demonstrates concept implemented various including self-morphing soft robotics.