Usually, when we process 3D printed shape-converting structures, they move in response to different temperatures. However, MIT's innovation engineers developed 3D printing technology based on their previous experience in using 3D printing technology to create shape-converting materials to create soft 3D printing structures that can be operated with magnets. The study has applications in creating remote-controlled biomedical devices.
"We believe that this technology will find promising applications in the biomedical field. For example, we can place a structure around the blood vessels to control the pumping of blood, or use magnets to guide the device through the gastrointestinal tract to take images and extract tissue. Samples, clearing blockages or transporting certain drugs to specific locations. You can design, simulate, and print to perform a variety of functions,†said Xuanhe Zhao, professor of career development at Noyce, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
These structures are made using new 3D printing inks that inject tiny magnetic particles. The researchers placed an electromagnet around the nozzle of the 3D printer that swirled the particles in one direction as the ink passed through it. Therefore, by simply using an external magnetic field to control the direction of each part, the 3D printing apparatus and structure can be immediately transformed into an intricate formation, and can even be moved around.
Some of the researchers' 3D printed structures include a self-folding worksheet, a self-closing tube, a sleek ring that wrinkles, and a gripper that can roll, crawl, jump, and snap quickly. It can even carry a small pill on the table by magnetic manipulation, just wrap it around the object.
It is reported that the research team published a paper entitled "Printing ferromagnetic domains for untethered fast-transforming soft materials" in the journal Nature. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation, the Naval Research Office, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Soldier Nanotechnology Division. Co-authors include Yoonho Kim, Yoonhoo Yuk, and Ruike Zhao from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Soft Active Materials Laboratory, Shawn A. Chester and Zhao from New Jersey Institute of Technology.
The abstract of the paper reads: "Here we report 3D programming software in soft materials that uses magnetic drives to achieve fast transitions between complex 3D shapes. Our method is based on direct ink writing of elastomeric composites containing ferromagnetic particles. By applying a magnetic field to the dispensing nozzle during printing, we redirect the particles along the applied magnetic field to impart a patterned magnetic polarity to the printed filament."
The hydrogel device expands as the temperature or pH changes, the dielectric elastomer stretches under voltage, and air or water is drawn into the hydraulic device to drive them, and the shape memory polymer can be stimulated by light or heat. Includes the magnetically activated structure of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is a general soft starter category. But problems still abound, dielectric elastomers require high voltages, air or water driven devices are inefficient for remote applications, and shape memory polymers and hydrogels can take hours to change shape.
Kim said: "For a software robot, there is no ideal choice. It can be executed in a closed space like a human body. You can do some unrestricted tasks here. That's why we think this kind of magnetism. The concept of actuation has great promise because it is fast, powerful, and remotely controllable."
Although others have successfully made magnetic materials, they can only achieve simple actions.
Yuk said: "People only make structures that stretch, shrink, or bend. The challenge is how do you design a structure or robot that can perform more complex tasks?"
Based on this, the MIT team meets the challenge and looks for ways to make magnetic domains. Rather than creating structures with the same magnetic particles, each of these separate domains or sections each have its own magnetic orientation. Thus, when they are exposed to an external magnetic field, such as an electromagnet on a 3D printer nozzle, the magnetic domains will move in accordance with the direction of the magnetic field in which their particles respond, enabling them to perform more complex motions.
Researchers use these new 3D printing platforms to develop these areas. During the printing process, they changed the direction of the electromagnet around the nozzle to adjust the direction of the magnetic particles.
“This work is very new. People can use soft robots in the human body or use soft robots in places that are not easily accessible,†said Jerry Qi, a professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech. “He didn’t participate in the study, but Has a rich 4D printing experience. "With the technology reported in this article, one can apply a magnetic field outside the body without using any wiring. Due to its fast response, the soft robot can perform many actions in a short time. These are very important for practical applications. â€
In addition, the team developed a physical model that predicts how the 3D printed structure deforms or moves under the magnetic field by using the pattern of the domain, the elasticity of the material, and the direction in which the external magnetic field is applied. Ruike found that the predictions of the model were closely related to the team's experiments.
“We have developed a printing platform and predictive model for others. People can design their own structures and domain patterns, validate them with models, and print them to launch various functions. By structure, field and magnetic field. Programming complex information, people can even print smart machines such as robots," Mr. Zhao said.
In addition to the previously mentioned structure, the team can quickly expand or contract the 3D printed bulging structure in both directions, as well as the embedded circuit and the red and green LED lights. Depending on its magnetic orientation, the ring can be deformed to illuminate a green or red structure.
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