Researchers from Avans University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente have published a groundbreaking scientific study on the development of biobased sandwich structures with shape memory, produced using 4D printing technology. These innovative structures have the remarkable ability to restore their original shape when exposed to external factors like heat, unlike traditional structures.
Han van Kasteren, professor of Biobased Building Blocks & Products at MNEXT, and Betty Oostenbrink, lecturer-researcher at Avans University of Applied Sciences, are part of the research group that recently published the scientific article titled ‘4D Printing of Biobased Shape Memory Sandwich Structures’.
4D Printing of Biobased Sandwich Structures with Shape Memory
Lightweight sandwich structures are widely used in aerospace, the automotive industry, and the construction sector due to their strong weight-to-strength ratio, improved stiffness and rigidity, and their ability to absorb energy and shocks effectively. 4D printing technology enables the production of complex sandwich structures that are difficult to achieve with traditional methods. Smart materials, such as shape memory polymers (SMPs), can allow these structures to change and return to their original shape when exposed to external stimuli, such as temperature changes. This study explores how this technology can be applied in designing and manufacturing biobased smart sandwich structures that can both absorb energy and restore their shape.
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Scientific Article ‘4D Printing of Biobased Shape Memory Sandwich Structures’