Research Projects

The project focuses on the development of 4D printed parts using Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) materials for actuators and sensors applications. It uses material extrusion technique to create these parts, while the DLP technique is used for soft robotic applications. The developed SMP-based 4D printed parts can be programmed or re-programmed to achieve desired configurations. The project also aims to develop multi-material SMP composite SMPC 4D printed gradient structures. The additive manufacturing (AM) process, also known as 3D printing, allows for the creation of dynamic structures that are lightweight, biodegradable, self-healable, and possess greater shape/orientation-repeatability. The use of SMP/SMPCs as raw materials in 4D printing allows for a wide range of spatial print patterns. The project has developed a prototype using a portable desktop 3D printer to build 4D printed products/parts. The technique has been realized for Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based 4D printed parts built by integrating static 3D printed parts with different SMA structures. The functional/smart material, SMAs, is embedded into the 4D printed parts, which can trigger shape/orientational changes over time when subjected to external stimuli. A portable integral setup consisting of a training and 3D printing unit has been erected, capable of developing 4D printed parts with various applications, such as bending actuators for ON/OFF switches, gripper mechanisms, butterfly configured actuators for orientation changes in Stewart tables, and actuators with incremental shape changing ability for exoskeletal 4D printed structures for physiotherapy and rehabilitation of human locomotive joints. The project aims to develop tailor-made, cost-effective SMP/SMPCs based 4D printed products that can be commercialized based on end users' requirements. The research results will be published in SCI journals, and new findings will be patented at both national and international levels. The project also involves industry involvement and skill development through multi institutional exchange programs.