Abstract

The temperature memory effect (TME) refers to the ability of a shape memory polymer to display recovery around the temperature at which its predeformation occurred so that the material expresses its shape memory response not only in terms of shape but also for what concerns the deformation temperature. This peculiar effect, displayed only by certain classes of polymers, allows to control of the triggering temperature for the shape memory effect as well as to provide multiple shape memory responses for specific, properly designed predeformation histories. Moreover, when combined with 3D printing, such an effect opens new powerful perspectives for designing autonomous structures with customized architectures and programmable/controllable shape changes. However, the design of such structures and of their active response is not trivial and requires careful attention at different levels, i.e., during printing, experimental characterization, modeling, and simulation. The topic of the present chapter concerns 4D-printed structures exhibiting the TME, and it aims at providing the reader with both an analysis and discussion, helpful in guiding toward the design of functional structures capable of controlled motions, also in a hierarchical manner. Particularly, a methodological approach is proposed and includes three main stages: evaluation of material properties, experimental characterization of 3D-printed structures, and modeling/simulation. A discussion about the steps of each stage is provided, together with an overview of the current state of the art, and a case study is presented. Potential application fields and future perspectives are also explored and discussed.

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