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8th Edition of

International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering

March 10-12, 2025 | Rome, Italy

Materials 2022

Thorsten Pretsch

Speaker at Materials Science and Engineering 2022 - Thorsten Pretsch
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Germany
Title : Recognizing the Potential of 4D Printing

Abstract:

Four-dimensional (4D) printing is still a young technology used to introduce material functionalities into components in an additive manufacturing (AM) process. The use of shape memory polymers such as thermoplastic polyurethanes or polylactic acid enables the production of thermoresponsive objects by implementing internal stresses in course of AM. The associated gain in functionality offers several advantages. By setting property profiles in the preceding synthesis process and by selecting appropriate print settings, a high degree of control over thermoresponsiveness can be achieved. In addition, a time- and energy-consuming thermomechanical treatment, which is often required for shape memory polymers, is no longer necessary; the thermoresponsive objects can be taken directly from the printer. Ideally, the 4D-printed objects then also follow a lightweight design.

Here we report on the design development of thermoresponsive objects, which we produced by fused filament fabrication. The functional devices offer excellent opportunities for carrying out assembly processes, while later a material-inherent programmable stiffness can be used for their disassembly, e.g. at the end of use or end of life. In perspective, the reuse of materials in 4D printing or other polymer processing techniques can further enhance their sustainability and thus initiate important steps toward a circular economy for functional materials with comparable property profiles. Against this background, recent work by the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials CPM (project 630507) highlights opportunities and challenges of 4D printing and identifies possibilities for its use in areas such as healthcare.

 

What will audience learn from your presentation?

  • Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn?
    • Polymer and process development for 4D printing
    • Criteria for the design of 4D printed objects
    • New usage concepts for 4D printed objects
  • How will this help the audience in their job? Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching? Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient? Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem? List all other benefits.
    • Selecting the right polymer materials for 4D printing
    • 4D printing with commercially available printers
    • Transfer of knowledge to new applications

Biography:

Thorsten Pretsch has received his doctorate in Chemistry from the Free University of Berlin in 2004 and has been conducting research for more than 14 years in the field of shape memory polymers. Currently, he is deputy scientific coordinator at Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials CPM and responsible at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP for the division Synthesis and Polymer Technology and the working group Shape Memory Polymers. He has published about 30 research articles in SCI(E) journals and is involved as inventor in 25 patent applications.

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