4D Printing of Magnetically Functionalized Chainmail for Exoskeletal Biomedical Applications
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MRS Advances © 2019 Materials Research Society DOI: 10.1557/adv.2019.154
4D Printing of Magnetically Functionalized Chainmail for Exoskeletal Biomedical Applications Anna R. Ploszajski* a,b, Richard Jackson a,b, Mark Ransley a,b, Mark Miodownik a,b a Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Roberts Engineering Building, Torrington Place, London, UK, WC1E 7JE b Institute of Making, University College London, Malet Place, London, UK, WC1E 7JE
Abstract Chainmail fabrics manufactured by selective laser sintering 3D printing have been magnetically functionalized to create a lightweight, 4D printed, actuating fabric. The postprocessing method involves submerging the porous prints in commercial ferrofluid (oil-based magnetic liquid), followed by drying under heat. The actuation of the chainmail has been simulated using a rigid multi-body physics engine, and qualitatively matches experiment. Such magnetically actuating fabrics have potential to make thin, lightweight and comfortable wearable assistive devices.
INTRODUCTION The function of wearable assistive devices is to support and improve the mobility of the disabled and the infirm, as well as those recovering from injuries. The design of such exoskeletal devices generally requires embedded actuators to provide mechanical support of limbs and joints, which are ideally fabricated using soft materials so as to be conformable to the human body [1]. Many different types of soft actuators have been investigated for this application such as swellable hydrogels [2], granular media [3], electroactive polymers [4], and pneumatic systems such as fluidic elastomer actuators [5]. However, none of these are ideal. Some require tethering to auxiliary equipment which limits their scope in terms of the range of mobility offered to the user. Others require high voltages to function [6] rendering them impractical for a close-to-skin garment. Another problem faced by those designing wearable assistive devices is fitting: how to fabricate the device to fit the user and to tune the mechanical actuation to respond to their particular needs. At present most devices are hand-made and need to be customized to fit.
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4D printing is a manufacturing technique that has the potential to address both these problems. It is a process of using 3D printing to produce materials with programmable functionality. Since its introduction by its pioneer Skylar Tibbits in 2013 [7], materials engineers have already created some innovative designs for simple actuating shapes which morph in response to stimuli like moisture or heat [8]. This new field is in its infancy: at present there are limited stimuli, and the structures produced are often mechanically weak with slow response times [6]. Nevertheless it is clear that the design of a wearable assistiv
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