4D-printed parametric façade in architecture: prototyping a self-shaping skin using programmable two-way shape memory composite (TWSMC)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwang Yi

PurposeThis study aims to present an architectural application of 4D-printed climate-adaptive kinetic architecture and parametric façade design.Design/methodology/approachThis work investigates experimental prototyping of a reversibly self-shaping façade, by integrating the parametric design approach, smart material and 4D-printing techniques. Thermo-responsive building skin modules of two-way shape memory composite (TWSMC) was designed and fabricated, combining the shape memory alloy fibers (SMFs) and 3D-printed shape memory polymer matrices (SMPMs). For geometry design, deformation of the TWSMC was simulated with a dimension-reduced mathematical model, and an optimal arrangement of three different types of TWSMC modules were designed and fabricated into a physical scale model.FindingsModel-based experiments show robust workability and formal reversibility of the developed façade. Potential utility of this module for adaptive building design and construction is discussed based on the results. Findings help better understand the shape memory phenomena and presented design-inclusive technology will benefit architectural communities of smart climate-adaptive building.Originality/valueTwo-way reversibility of 4D-printed composites is a topic of active research in material science but has not been clearly addressed in the practical context of architectural design, due to technical barriers. This research is the first architectural presentation of the whole design procedure, simulation and fabrication of the 4D-printed and parametrically movable façade.

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibao Lu ◽  
Yongtao Yao ◽  
Long Lin

Purpose – This paper aims to create and to study multifunctional shape memory polymer (SMP) composites having temperature-sensing and actuating capabilities by embedding thermochromic particles within the polymer matrix. Design/methodology/approach – The multifunctional materials were fabricated following a process consisting of blending (of the thermochromic particles and the SMP at various ratios), mixing, degasing, moulding and thermal curing, prepared by incorporating thermochromic particles within the polymer. The effect of the thermochromic particles on the thermomechanical properties and thermally responsive shape memory effect of the resulting multifunction SMP composites were characterised and interpreted. Findings – It was found that exposure of the composites to temperatures above 70°C led to a pronounced change of their colour that was recorded by the thermal and electrical actuation approaches and was reproducibly reversible. It was also found that the colour of the composites was independent of the mechanical state of the SMP. Such effects enabled monitoring of the onset of the set/release temperature of the SMP matrix. Furthermore, the combination of thermochromic additive and the SMP resulted in significantly improved thermomechanical strength, absorption of infrared radiation and the temperature distribution of the SMP composites. Research limitations/implications – The temperature-sensing and actuating capabilities of the polymeric shape memory composites developed through this study will help to extend the field of potential applications of such composites to fields including sensors, actuators, security labels and information dissemination, where colour indication is an advantageous feature. Originality/value – The SMP composites capable of temperature sensing and actuating are novel.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Zhao ◽  
Xueyao Zheng ◽  
Shichen Zhou ◽  
Bo Zhou ◽  
Shifeng Xue

PurposeIn this paper, a three-dimensional size-dependent constitutive model of SMP Timoshenko micro-beam is developed to describe the micromechanical properties.Design/methodology/approachAccording to the Hamilton's principle, the equilibrium equations and boundary conditions of the model are established and according to the modified couple stress theory, the model is available to capturing the size effect because of the material length scale parameter. Based on the model, the simply supported beam was taken for example to be solved and simulated.FindingsResults show that the size effect of SMP micro-beam is more obvious when the dimensionless beam height is similar or the larger of the value of loading time. The rigidity and strength of the SMP beam decrease with the increasing of the dimensionless beam height or the loading time. The viscous property of SMP micro-beam plays a more important role with the larger dimensionless beam height. And the smaller the dimensionless beam height is, the more obvious the shape memory effect of the SMP micro-beam is.Originality/valueThis work implies prediction of size-dependent thermo-mechanical behaviors of the SMP micro-beam and will provide a theoretical basis for design SMP microstructures in the field of micro/nanomechanics.


Author(s):  
Richard Beblo ◽  
Lisa Mauck Weiland

Presented is the development of a multi-scale model predicting the material response of a light activated shape memory polymer. Rotational Isomeric State (RIS) theory is used to build a molecular scale model of the polymer chain backbone, tracking the distances between cross-links. Cross-link to cross-link distances are then used with Boltzmann statistical mechanics to predict material response, generating Young’s modulus and stress-strain relation predictions. Young’s modulus is predicted by the model to be 0.049 and 3.2 MPa for the soft and hard states of the polymer respectively. Experimentally determined properties are also presented with reported moduli of 2.0 and 11.4 MPa in the soft and hard states respectively.


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.


Author(s):  
Fabrizio Quadrini ◽  
Giovanni Matteo Tedde ◽  
Loredana Santo

Shape memory composites combine structural properties of continuous-fiber polymer-matrix composites with functional behavior of shape memory polymers. In this study, the production of shape memory composite structures for aerospace applications is described. Small-scale grabbing systems were prototyped as they could be used for space cleaning operations. Composite hands were manufactured by using two carbon fiber composite layers with a shape memory polymer interlayer. They were produced in the closed-hand configuration and subsequently opened in the memorizing step. Due to heating, composites tended to recover the initial closed configuration, allowing to grab small objects. Two different shapes (cylindrical and cubic) were considered for composite hands. In the first case, the shape memory behavior was given to the entire structure whereas, in the second case, shape memory properties were provided only to folding zones. As a result, a good shape recovery was observed in both cases but part weight was already not negligible also in these small-scale systems.


2010 ◽  
Vol 638-642 ◽  
pp. 2189-2194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisaaki Tobushi ◽  
Shunichi Hayashi ◽  
Y. Sugimoto ◽  
K. Date

The shape memory composite (SMC) with shape memory alloy (SMA) and shape memory polymer (SMP) was fabricated, and the two-way bending deformation and recovery force were investigated. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. (1) Two kinds of SMA tapes which show the shape memory effect and superelasticity were heat-treated to memorize the round shape, respectively. The shape-memorized round SMA tapes were sandwiched between the SMP sheets, and the SMC belt was fabricated. (2) The two-way bending deformation with an angle of 56 degrees is observed during heating and cooling. (3) If the SMC belt is heated and cooled by keeping the form, recovery force increases during heating and decreases during cooling.


2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibao Lu ◽  
Yongtao Yao ◽  
Jinying  Yin ◽  
Long Lin

Purpose – This paper aims to study the synergistic effect of self-assembled carboxylic acid-functionalised carbon nanotube (CNT) and nafion/silica nanofibre nanopaper on the electro-activated shape memory effect (SME) and shape recovery behaviour of shape memory polymer (SMP) nanocomposite. Design/methodology/approach – Carboxylic acid-functionalised CNT and nafion/silica nanofibre are first self-assembled onto carbon fibre by means of deposition and electrospinning approaches, respectively, to form functionally graded nanopaper. The combination of carbon fibre and CNT is introduced to enable the actuation of the SME in SMP by means of Joule heating at a low electric voltage of 3.0-5.0 V. Findings – Nafion/silica nanofibre is used to improve the shape recovery behaviour and performance of the SMP for enhanced heat transfer and electrical actuation effectiveness. Low electrical voltage actuation and high electrical actuation effectiveness of 32.5 per cent in SMP has been achieved. Research limitations/implications – A simple way for fabricating electro-activated SMP nanocomposites has been developed by using functionally graded CNT and nafion/silica nanofibre nanopaper. Originality/value – The outcome of this study will help to fabricate the SMP composite with high electrical actuation effectiveness under low electrical voltage actuation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 488-489 ◽  
pp. 282-285
Author(s):  
Teruko Aoki ◽  
Keigo Fukunaga ◽  
Akira Shimamoto

Intelligent materials have been studied in various fields. In this study, Shape Memory Composite (SMC) is produced as one of those intelligent materials. SMC consists of Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) and Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). These two materials possess different characteristics in temperature changes. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of the SMC’s actuator function as an intelligent material. The actuator function is achieved by applying a current to SMA fiber of SMC to grab and release objects. As a result of this investigation, meaningful data for actuator to design SMC is obtained.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 3056
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Quadrini ◽  
Denise Bellisario ◽  
Leandro Iorio ◽  
Loredana Santo ◽  
Panagiotis Pappas ◽  
...  

In this study, Polyurea/Formaldehyde (PUF) microcapsules containing Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) as a healing substance were fabricated in situ and mixed at relatively low concentrations (<2 wt%) with a thermosetting polyurethane (PU) foam used in turn as the core of a sandwich structure. The shape memory (SM) effect depended on the combination of the behavior of the PU foam core and the shape memory polymer composite (SMPC) laminate skins. SMPC laminates were manufactured by moulding commercial carbon fiber-reinforced (CFR) prepregs with a SM polymer interlayer. At first, PU foam samples, with and without microcapsules, were mechanically tested. After, PU foam was inserted into the SMPC sandwich structure. Damage tests were carried out by compression and bending to deform and break the PU foam cells, and then assess the structure self-healing (SH) and recovery capabilities. Both SM and SH responses were rapid and thermally activated (120 °C). The CFR-SMPC skins and the PU foam core enable the sandwich to exhibit excellent SM properties with a shape recovery ratio up to 99% (initial configuration recovery). Moreover, the integration of microcapsules (0.5 wt%) enables SH functionality with a structural restoration up to 98%. This simple process makes this sandwich structure ideal for different industrial applications.


2010 ◽  
Vol 123-125 ◽  
pp. 995-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Wei Zhang ◽  
Yan Ju Liu ◽  
Jin Song Leng

The shape memory polymer (SMP) materials are able to change these shape in response to external stimulus such as stress, temperature, solvent, PH, magnetic, electricity or light. The above-mentioned methods are only to recover initial shape of the deformed SMP, could not give the SMP predeformation. In this paper, magnetic field gives the shape memory polymer composite (SMPC) pre-deformation was studied, through on and off of magnetic field the two-way activation of SMPC was achieved. Shape memory effect of shape memory composite in magnetic field was studied. The SMPC was filled by nickel powder, and the nickel powder was treated by silane coupling agent. The Tg of shape memory composite was measured by dynamic mechanical analyzer. The surface element of treated nickel powder was analysized with XPS. The results indicated that the shape of composite filled by untreated nickel powder did not change in the magnetic field, while the composite filled by treated nickel powder was drawn in the magnetic field. The tensile stretch was decrease with the increase of nickel powder content in the shape memory composite. The addition of silane coupling agent onto nickel powder surface was helpful for the dispersion of nickel in polymer.


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