Russian scientists have created “smart” polymers for 4D printing of spacecraft parts, whose shape can be deliberately changed by heating. In terms of tensile strength, new polymers exceed existing ones by more than 60%. This was reported to socialbites.ca by the press service of the Moscow State Medical University Sechenov.
A team of scientists from the Sechenov University Institute of Regenerative Medicine of the Russian Ministry of Health and the Baikal Institute of Nature Management of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (BIP SB RAS) developed polymers that can change their properties. under the influence of external factors. Researchers have learned how to deliberately change the shape of a material using heat. Because of their strength, they can be used to create self-deploying space structures in orbit.
“The developed polymer will be one of the components of the ink for a 3D printer that will make it possible to print three-dimensional structures with shape memory. It is known that when a 3D object consists of such intellectual material, a fourth dimension is added, implying transformations over time. That is, by adjusting any environmental parameter (temperature, light, acidity (pH) or humidity), we can change the shape of a 3D object, and this is already the field of programmable and self-assembling materials,” says one researcher. socialbites.ca told the Department of Modern Biomaterials of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine of the Sechenov University Ksenia Bardakova Scientific and Technological Biomedicine Park.
The polymer can be given a different shape and then, after exposure to some external stimuli (temperature in this case), the material returns to its original geometry.
The development can be called a scientific breakthrough: the tensile strength of new polymers reaches 115 MPa (megapascals), and the strength of similar polymeric smart materials on the market today and described in scientific articles does not exceed 75 MPa. In addition, the polymers are resistant to temperatures up to 462-541°C and exposure to radiation.
Achieving smart polymer paves the way to 4D printing and the creation of self-assembled and programmable materials. Because of their strength, they can be used to build deployable space structures – space antennas, solar sail systems, parts of radio telescopes and solar panels. Such space systems will be able to operate in near-Earth orbit without loss of characteristics continuously for 10 years.
In addition, smart polymers can compete with metals and alloys because they are lighter and produce less waste during production. It is assumed that 4D printing can replace some traditional industrial methods such as injection molding, milling and stamping. Experiments where developers fold a printed flat sheet and turn it into a piece of furniture are already known.
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