Yuanyuan Tian^1,2, Kun Zhou^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.32, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.013372

Abstract Fabric-based materials have demonstrated promise for high-performance wearable applications but are currently restricted by their deficient mechanical properties. Here, we leverage the design freedom offered by additive manufacturing and a novel interlocking pattern to for the first time fabricate a dual-faced chain mail structure consisting of three-dimensional re-entrant unit cells. The flexible structured fabric demonstrates high specific energy absorption and specific strength of up to 1530 J/kg and 5900 N·m/kg, respectively, together with an excellent recovery ratio of ~80%, thereby overcoming the strength–recoverability trade-off. The designed dual-faced structured fabric compares favorably against a wide range More >

Dong Li¹, Feilong Zhang², Shutao Wang^3,*, Huajian Gao^1,4,*, Xiaodong Chen^2,5,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.32, No.2, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011040

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) architectures and related devices have been widely concerned in recent years due to their unique geometrical advantages and superior performance. Existing approaches to transforming planar thin films into 3D architectures require the use of active materials [1,2] or need substrates to maintain 3D shapes [3,4]. Here, we propose a peeling-induced shape morphing strategy to construct freestanding 3D architectures from 2D plastic films including inert polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyimide (PI), which are significant substrate materials for flexible electronics. The plastic strains generated by peeling the film from an adhered plane… More >

Changhong Linghu^1,*, Huajian Gao^1,2, K. Jimmy Hsia^1,3

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.32, No.2, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011590

Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMPs), with unique properties such as tunable elastic modulus, temporary shape-locking, and shape-recovery upon external stimulations, are emerging as a new class of smart materials with switchable adhesion capabilities. A prominent feature of the adhesion between SMP and a spherical indenter is the so-called R2G adhesion, defined as making contact in the rubbery state to a certain indentation depth followed by detachment in the glassy state. While it has been demonstrated that the R2G adhesion with SMPs can achieve orders of magnitude higher adhesive strength compared to conventional elastic adhesive systems, the… More >

Zhao Wang¹, Jun Liu¹, Xiaoying Qi², Chadur Venkatesan², Sharon Nai², David W. Rosen^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011890

Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMP) have many applications as actuators in soft robotics. However, predicting their shape change behavior is challenging, which makes designing suitable actuators difficult. For thermally stimulated shape memory polymers, constitutive models of shape change behavior show promise in enabling predictable shape changes, which is necessary for actuator design. These models are usually classified as either rheological or phase transition, with the former being more general, although non-physical in nature, and the latter being more physically significant [1]. Of interest in this work is 2-state shape change transitions for single-material actuators; that is,… More >

Hirak Kansara¹, Mingchao Liu^2,*, Yinfeng He³, Wei Tan^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011328

Abstract Shape-morphing structures exhibit the remarkable ability to transition between different configurations, offering vast potential across numerous applications. A common example involves the transformation from a flat two-dimensional (2D) state to a desired three-dimensional (3D) form. One prevalent technique for fabricating such structures entails strategically cutting thin sheet materials (known as kirigami), which, upon the application of external mechanical forces, morph into the intended 3D shape. A method leveraging the non-linear beam equation has been proposed for inverse design, determining the optimal 2D cutting patterns necessary to achieve a symmetrical 3D shape. Central to this strategy… More >

Tianyu Chen¹, Yifan Wang^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011272

Abstract Biological organisms often possess remarkable multifunctionality through intricate structures, such as the concurrent shape-morphing and stiffness-variation in octopus. Soft robots, which are inspired by natural creatures, usually require the integration of separate modules to achieve these various functions. As a result, the whole structure is cumbersome and the control system is complex, often involving multiple control loops to finish the required task. Here, inspired by the scaly creatures in nature such as pangolins and fish, we develop a robotic structure that can vary stiffness and change shape simultaneously in a highly-integrated compact body. The scale-inspired… More >

Hang Yang^1,2,3, Wei Zhai³, Ma Li^1,*, Damiano Pasini^2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.010893

Abstract Stimuli-responsive materials can alter their physicochemical properties, e.g., shape, color, or stiffness, upon exposure to an external trigger, e.g., heat, light, or humidity, exhibiting environmental adaptability. Among them, shape memory materials are limited by their multi-shape memory effect and the complex thermomechanical programming. In this work, we harness the distinct temperature-dependent elastic moduli of two 3D-printable polymers, that do not rely upon their intrinsic shape memory effect and compositional alteration to generate robust and simplified multi-shape memory responses in a variety of stimuli-responsive mechanical metamaterials, bypassing the typical intricate programming of conventional multi-shape memory polymers.… More >

Jiazhao Huang¹, Xiaoying Qi¹, Chu Long Tham¹, Hang Li Seet¹, Sharon Mui Ling Nai¹, David William Rosen^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012040

Abstract The emergence of 4D printing introduces stimuli-responsive, shape-changing capabilities through additive manufacturing (AM) and smart materials, has advanced the field of soft robotics. However, there are currently lack of methods or tools that capable of aiding in the generative design of 4D AM structures. The current generative design procedure for 4D AM structures often lacks transferability among various structures due to limited understanding of shape memory material behaviors for soft robotics. To develop such a digital library, investigation of fundamental elements, such as material properties of shape memory materials, geometry parameters of design primitives, and… More >

Yuanhang Yang¹, Changjin Huang^2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.010991

Abstract Achieving programmable and reversible deformations of soft materials is a long-standing goal for various applications in soft robotics, flexible electronics and many other fields. Swelling-induced shape-morphing has been intensively studied as one of the potential mechanisms. However, achieving an extremely large swelling ratio (>1000% in volume) remains challenging with existing swellable soft materials (e.g., hydrogels and water-swellable rubbers). Inspired by the shape change enabled by the osmosis-driven swelling in living organisms, herein, we report a polymer composite system composed of fine sodium chloride (NaCl) particles embedded in Ecoflex00-10 polymer. This Ecoflex00-10/NaCl polymer composite can achieve… More >

Hongyu Zhou¹, Hortense Le Ferrand^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.010990

Abstract 4D printing enables 3D-printed structures to morph upon being exposed to external stimuli. Amongst all engineering materials, polymers show high 3D printability as well as tunability regarding to its morphing behaviour and functionalities. Generally, composites with epoxy as matrix shows high modulus and strength, whereas its mechanically brittle property makes it difficult to be morphed and snapped-through at room temperature, thereby limiting its 4D printability and its functionality. On the other, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), as an elastomer, shows its high elasticity and stretchability, yet its printability and mechanical properties of its printed composites still need improving… More >