Duration of the project: 01.06.2019. - 15.11.2019.
Institutions involved in the project:
University of Latvia (Latvia)
University of Bayreuth (Germany)
Aim of the project:
4D printing is a very innovative process through which a 3D printed object transforms itself into another structure over the influence of external energy input as temperature, light or other environmental stimuli. Research into 4D printing has attracted huge interest since 2013 when the idea was first introduced due to its amazing applicability – self-assembly, multi-functionality, and self-repair and other smart dynamic material possibilities. It is based on 3D printing technology, but requires additional stimulus and stimulus-responsive materials. This project is based on light activated folding of polystyrene sheets. There are recent publications (Lee et. al., 2015), that report deformations in pre-strained polystyrene sheets when irradiated with light. This has not been tested for response efficiency for different wavelengths and the folding ability still needs testing. Therefore we propose a project on the effect of different wavelength light on the folding of polystyrene sheets for light activated mechanical devices. This project would be the first activity in a longer collaboration between the two research institutions in the field of smart materials and bringing the 4D printing technology to Latvia.
Main activities of the project:
- The synthesis and preparation of polystyrene sheets. This would take place in University of Bayreuth, Germany.
- The testing of effect of different wavelength light on the folding properties of polystyrene sheets. This would take place in the Institute of Solid State Physics in Riga, Latvia.
- Two lectures about the 4D printing as a cutting edge technology and the possibilities it provides – University of Latvia, and Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia
- A workshop for High School students that are interested in STEM – as a part of a large Latvian project – the Young Physicists School
- A joint publication on the results of the research project
Target group and number of persons involved:
Direct: the both laboratories involved – Optical Material Laboratory, Institute of Solid State Physics and Ionov Research Group, expected number – 20
Indirect: The physics and engineering students of University of Latvia and Riga Technical University, high school students, that are planning to take up STEM university studies – expected number – 300
Public events:
Two lectures about the 4D printing as a cutting edge technology and the possibilities it provides – University of Latvia Riga, Latvia, 27.09.2019, speakers – Indra Apsīte, Virgīnija Vītola
and Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia, 01.10.2019, speakers – Indra Apsīte , Virgīnija Vītola