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Light-driven polymeric bilayer actuators fabricated by 3-D printing
Dissertation   Open access

Light-driven polymeric bilayer actuators fabricated by 3-D printing

Daniel E. Hagaman
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Aug 2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/D8SM2H
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Abstract

Chemistry Three-dimensional printing Actuators Light Polymer Chemistry Smart Materials Thin Films
4D printing is an emerging additive manufacturing technology that combines the precision of 3D printing with the versatility of smart materials. 4D printed objects can change their shape over time with the application of a stimulus (i.e., heat, light, moisture). Light driven smart materials are attractive because light is wireless, remote, and can induce a rapid shape change. Herein, we present a method for fabricating polymeric bilayer actuators via 3D printing which reversibly change their shape upon exposure to light. The photoactive layer consists of a poly(siloxane) containing pendant azobenzene groups. Several different photoactive polymers were synthesized, to study how substitution of the benzene rings affected the properties of the active layer polymers and the bilayer actuators. The photomechanical effect displayed by the bilayers was evaluated quantitatively. These bilayers exhibit rapid actuation with full cycles completed within seconds, and photo-generated stresses ranging from 1.03 - 1.70 MPa.

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