A research group from the City University of Hong Kong has recently developed the first 4D printer for ceramics. This 4D ceramics printing process can be used on complex shapes. Ceramics have a high melting point which makes the material hard to shape and form into complex shapes. To tackle this problem, the City University team developed a ceramic ink. This ink has a combination of polymers and ceramic nanoparticles. It can be used to print and shape ceramics.
This 3D ceramic precursors in this ink are soft and malleable. They can be stretched three times longer than their original length. This flexibility allows complex shapes like the art of origami folding. With proper heat treatment, ceramics with complex shapes can be created. The team was led by Professor Jian Lu, Vice President of Research and Technology at City University. He is Chair Professor of Engineering and a materials scientist who has researched fabricating nanomaterials, advanced materials, and computer simulations of surface engineering models.
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Their team has developed two breakthroughs on 4D printing with ceramics. 4D printing is 3D printing with the added element to time and that the object can be reshaped or reassembled using mechanical force, temperature, or a magnetic field in the process. The elastic energy that is stored in the stretched precursors can be reshaped, and with heat treatment turn into ceramics.
These ceramics are mechanically well made. They have a high strength to density ratio, and they can be made in large sizes that are strong compared to other printed ceramics. The process may sound simple, but it was not, Professor Lu said. The team tried several many times, and several different methods to make the ink and printing system. It took them two years to overcome these problems and develop a 4D ceramics printing system.
Professor Lu says the process was like squeezing icing on the cake because many factors can affect the outcome of the work. These factors can be the size of the nozzle, type of cream used, temperature, and force that you squeeze the bag. In one of the first printing that they tried they used the new ink; the substrate was stretched by using a stretching device that was biaxial. The joints that would be used to connect the precursor were printed on it.
This stretched precursor was placed on the stretched substrate. Using computer modeling to control the element of time, and the release of the stretched substrate these materials changed into the designed shape. In their second attempt, they printed the pattern directly onto the stretched ceramic precursor. It underwent computer programming and eventually changed shape.
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The global 4D printing market is expected to cross USD 313.1 million by 2025.
4D printing arises out of challenges encountered in 3D printing and is capable of enabling the material system to function after certain modifications.
4D printing thus offers numerous advantages over 3D printing proving critical to have a wider deployment.Specifically, 4D printing offers actuation, programmability, and sensing rooted directly into the material, without relying much on electromechanical devices and systems.
In addition, 4D printing enables smart materials programmed with folding mechanisms, linear actuators, bending surface and material sensors.Download Sample Report @ https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/4d-printing-market-size/request-sampleUbiquitously, 4D printing encounters challenges such as structures and design transformation from a random shape to a specified shape.
Emphasis on sustainable environment, technological enhancements and use of smart materials and chemicals stimulates the market growth in the near future.
However, patent issues and matters relating to intellectual property rights are likely to hinder the market growth in the forecast period upto 2025.Material segment for 4D printing market includes programmable carbon fiber, programmable textile, and programmable wood.
