Smart structures with embedded flexible sensors fabricated by fused deposition modeling-based multimaterial 3D printing

Ren, Huilin1; Yang, Xiaodan2; Wang, Zhenhu1; Xu, Xuguang1; Wang, Rong3; Ge, Qi3; Xiong, Yi1

2022-07-01

10.1080/19475411.2022.2095454

International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials   Impact Factor & Quartile

1947-5411

1947-542X

Smart structures have the advantages of high system integrity and diverse sensing capabilities. However, the labor-intensive and time-consuming fabrication process hinders the large-scale adoption of smart structures. Despite recent attempts to develop sensor-embedded structures using 3D printing technologies, the reported smart structures generally suffer from the complex fabrication process, constrained part size, and limited sensing modality. Herein, we propose a workflow to design and fabricate novel smart structures via multimaterial fused deposition modeling (FDM)-based 3D printing. More specifically, conductive filaments with tailorable mechanical and electrical properties, e.g. piezoresistive effects, were developed. Additionally, the printing process was optimized for processing soft filaments with Young's modulus around 2 MPa, resolving the issue of filament buckling. Furthermore, the potential applications of the proposed workflow were showcased using three design cases, i.e. biaxial strain sensor, smart tire, and cable-driven soft finger with multiple sensing capabilities. This workflow provides a cost-effective and rapid solution for developing novel smart structures with soft materials.

Smart structures multimaterial additive manufacturing flexible strain sensor conductive polymer composites soft materials

SCI ; EI

English

First ; Corresponding

National Key Research and Development Program of China[2020YFB1312900] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[52105261] ; Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation[2022A1515010316]

Materials Science

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

WOS:000822333100001

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

20222812341233

Cost effectiveness ; Fabrication ; Fused Deposition Modeling ; Layered manufacturing

Reproduction, Copying:745.2 ; Chemical Operations:802.3 ; Industrial Economics:911.2 ; Manufacturing:913.4

Web of Science

1.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Syst Design & Intelligent Mfg, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
2.City Univ Hong Kong, Dept Mech Engn, Hong Kong, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Energy Engn, Shenzhen, Peoples R China

Ren, Huilin,Yang, Xiaodan,Wang, Zhenhu,et al. Smart structures with embedded flexible sensors fabricated by fused deposition modeling-based multimaterial 3D printing[J]. International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials,2022.

Ren, Huilin.,Yang, Xiaodan.,Wang, Zhenhu.,Xu, Xuguang.,Wang, Rong.,...&Xiong, Yi.(2022).Smart structures with embedded flexible sensors fabricated by fused deposition modeling-based multimaterial 3D printing.International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials.

Ren, Huilin,et al."Smart structures with embedded flexible sensors fabricated by fused deposition modeling-based multimaterial 3D printing".International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials (2022).