Light Activated Shape Memory Polymer Characterization

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard V. Beblo ◽  
Lisa Mauck Weiland

Since their development, shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been of increasing interest in active materials and structures design. In particular, there has been a growing interest in SMPs for use in adaptive structures because of their ability to switch between low and high stiffness moduli in a relatively short temperature range. However, because a thermal stimulus is inappropriate for many morphing applications, a new light activated shape memory polymer (LASMP) is under development. Among the challenges associated with the development of a new class of material is establishing viable characterization methods. For the case of LASMP both the sample response to light stimulus and the stimulus itself vary in both space and time. Typical laser light is both periodic and Gaussian in nature. Furthermore, LASMP response to the light stimulus is dependent on the intensity of the incident light and the time varying through the thickness penetration of the light as the transition progresses. Therefore both in-plane and through-thickness stimulation of the LASMP are nonuniform and time dependent. Thus, the development of a standardized method that accommodates spatial and temporal variations associated with mechanical property transition under a light stimulus is required. First generation thick film formulations are found to have a transition time on the order of 60 min. The characterization method proposed addresses optical stimulus irregularities. A chemical kinetic model is also presented capable of predicting the through-thickness evolution of Young’s modulus of the polymer. This work discusses in situ characterization strategies currently being implemented as well as the current and projected performance of LASMPs.

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard V. Beblo ◽  
Lisa Mauck Weiland

Presented are the experimental results of two light activated shape memory polymer (LASMP) formulations. The optical stimulus used to activate the materials is detailed including a mapping of the spatial optical intensity at the surface of the sample. From this, results of energy calculations are presented including the amount of energy available for transitioning from the glassy state to the rubbery state and from the rubbery state to the glassy state, highlighting one of the major advantages of LASMP as requiring less energy to transition than thermally activated shape memory polymers. The mechano-optical experimental setup and procedure is detailed and provides a consistent method for evaluating this relatively new class of shape memory polymer. A chemical kinetic model is used to predict both the theoretical glassy state modulus, as only the sample averaged modulus is experimentally attainable, as well as the through thickness distribution of Young’s modulus. The experimental and model results for these second generation LASMP formulations are then compared with earlier LASMP generations (detailed previously in Beblo and Mauck Weiland, 2009, “Light Activated Shape Memory Polymer Characterization,” ASME J. Appl. Mech., 76, pp. 8) and typical thermally activated shape memory polymer.


Author(s):  
Richard V. Beblo ◽  
Lisa Mauck Weiland

Presented is a multiscale modeling method applied to light activated shape memory polymers (LASMP). LASMP are a new class of shape memory polymer (SMP) being developed for applications where a thermal stimulus is undesired. Rotational Isomeric State (RIS) theory is used to build a molecular scale model of the polymer chain yielding a list of distances between the predicted cross-link locations, or r-values. The r-values are then fit with Johnson probability density functions and used with Boltzmann statistical mechanics to predict stress as a function of strain of the phantom network. Junction constraint theory is then used to calculate the stress contribution due to interactions with neighboring chains, resulting in previously unattainable numerically accurate Young’s modulus predictions based on the molecular formula of the polymer. The system is modular in nature and thus lends itself well to being adapted for specific applications. The results of the model are presented with experimental data for confirmation of correctness along with discussion of the potential of the model to be used to computationally adjust the chemical composition of LASMP to achieve specified material characteristics, greatly reducing the time and resources required for formula development.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Trenton Cersoli ◽  
Alexis Cresanto ◽  
Callan Herberger ◽  
Eric MacDonald ◽  
Pedro Cortes

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are materials capable of changing their structural configuration from a fixed shape to a temporary shape, and vice versa when subjected to a thermal stimulus. The present work has investigated the 3D printing process of a shape memory polymer (SMP)-based polyurethane using a material extrusion technology. Here, SMP pellets were fed into a printing unit, and actuating coupons were manufactured. In contrast to the conventional film-casting manufacturing processes of SMPs, the use of 3D printing allows the production of complex parts for smart electronics and morphing structures. In the present work, the memory performance of the actuating structure was investigated, and their fundamental recovery and mechanical properties were characterized. The preliminary results show that the assembled structures were able to recover their original conformation following a thermal input. The printed parts were also stamped with a QR code on the surface to include an unclonable pattern for addressing counterfeit features. The stamped coupons were subjected to a deformation-recovery shape process, and it was observed that the QR code was recognized after the parts returned to their original shape. The combination of shape memory effect with authentication features allows for a new dimension of counterfeit thwarting. The 3D-printed SMP parts in this work were also combined with shape memory alloys to create a smart actuator to act as a two-way switch to control data collection of a microcontroller.


Author(s):  
Madhubhashitha Herath ◽  
Mainul Islam ◽  
Jayantha Epaarachchi ◽  
Fenghua Zhang ◽  
Jinsong Leng

Abstract Four dimensional (4D) printing is the convergence of three dimensional (3D) printing, which is an emerging additive manufacturing technology for smart materials. 4D printing is referred to the capability of changing the shape, property, or functionality of a 3D printed structure under a particular external stimulus. This paper presents the structural performance, shape memory behavior and photothermal effect of 4D printed pristine shape memory polymer (SMP) and it’s composite (SMPC) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Both materials have demonstrated the ability to retain a temporary shape and then recover their original. It is revealed that the incorporation of MWCNTs into the SMP matrix has enhanced the light stimulus shape recovery capabilities. Light stimulus shape transformation of 4D printed SMPC is advantageous for space engineering applications as light can be focused onto a particular area at a long distance. Subsequently, a model 4D printed deployable boom, which is applicable for small spacecrafts is presented. The shape fixity and recovery behaviors of the proposed boom have been investigated. Notably, the model boom structure has demonstrated ∼86 % shape recovery ratio. The proposed innovative approach of additive manufacturing based deployable composite structures will shape up the future space technologies.


1987 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 551-552
Author(s):  
L.A.M. Nejad ◽  
T. J. Millar

We have developed a time-dependent chemical kinetic model to describe the chemistry in the circumstellar envelopes of cool stars, with particular reference to IRC + 10216. Our detailed calculations show that ion-molecule reactions are important in the formation of many of the species observed in IRC + 10216.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4254
Author(s):  
Paulina A. Quiñonez ◽  
Leticia Ugarte-Sanchez ◽  
Diego Bermudez ◽  
Paulina Chinolla ◽  
Rhyan Dueck ◽  
...  

The work presented here describes a paradigm for the design of materials for additive manufacturing platforms based on taking advantage of unique physical properties imparted upon the material by the fabrication process. We sought to further investigate past work with binary shape memory polymer blends, which indicated that phase texturization caused by the fused filament fabrication (FFF) process enhanced shape memory properties. In this work, two multi-constituent shape memory polymer systems were developed where the miscibility parameter was the guide in material selection. A comparison with injection molded specimens was also carried out to further investigate the ability of the FFF process to enable enhanced shape memory characteristics as compared to other manufacturing methods. It was found that blend combinations with more closely matching miscibility parameters were more apt at yielding reliable shape memory polymer systems. However, when miscibility parameters differed, a pathway towards the creation of shape memory polymer systems capable of maintaining more than one temporary shape at a time was potentially realized. Additional aspects related to impact modifying of rigid thermoplastics as well as thermomechanical processing on induced crystallinity are also explored. Overall, this work serves as another example in the advancement of additive manufacturing via materials development.


2021 ◽  
pp. 2102473
Author(s):  
Wenjun Peng ◽  
Guogao Zhang ◽  
Qian Zhao ◽  
Tao Xie

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Ehrmann ◽  
Andrea Ehrmann

Poly(lactic acid) is not only one of the most often used materials for 3D printing via fused deposition modeling (FDM), but also a shape-memory polymer. This means that objects printed from PLA can, to a certain extent, be deformed and regenerate their original shape automatically when they are heated to a moderate temperature of about 60–100 °C. It is important to note that pure PLA cannot restore broken bonds, so that it is necessary to find structures which can take up large forces by deformation without full breaks. Here we report on the continuation of previous tests on 3D-printed cubes with different infill patterns and degrees, now investigating the influence of the orientation of the applied pressure on the recovery properties. We find that for the applied gyroid pattern, indentation on the front parallel to the layers gives the worst recovery due to nearly full layer separation, while indentation on the front perpendicular to the layers or diagonal gives significantly better results. Pressing from the top, either diagonal or parallel to an edge, interestingly leads to a different residual strain than pressing from front, with indentation on top always firstly leading to an expansion towards the indenter after the first few quasi-static load tests. To quantitatively evaluate these results, new measures are suggested which could be adopted by other groups working on shape-memory polymers.


RSC Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (32) ◽  
pp. 19616-19622
Author(s):  
Wenbing Li ◽  
Junhao Liu ◽  
Wanting Wei ◽  
Kun Qian

Shape memory polymers can provide excellent bonding property because of their shape memory effects. This paper proposes an adhesive unit that is capable of repeatable smart adhesion and exhibits reversible adhesion under heating.


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