Imagine a single piece of material that can change its shape, stiffness, and function—on demand—like a Swiss Army knife made of plastic. That's what researchers at the Harbin Institute of Technology have created with their new 4D-printed "smart" metamaterials, capable of reprogramming themselves for different tasks without any extra tools or infrastructure.
Reported in in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, these multi-material, multi-responsive, multi-shape shape memory polymer (SMP) gradient metamaterials can twist, bend, stiffen, or soften in response to light, heat, electricity, or magnetic fields. They can hold multiple shapes at once and shift between them as needed—something conventional metamaterials simply can't do after manufacturing.
"This is a step toward truly intelligent materials that adapt like living systems," says Academician Jinsong Leng, co-author of the study. "We're moving from static designs to materials that can sense, decide, and act."
The team studied how small parts inside the material, called ligaments and nodes, affect how strong and flexible it is. Using this knowledge, they made materials whose shape and stiffness can be carefully controlled and changed whenever needed.
Potential uses range from secure information storage, where the "message" only appears under the right stimulus, to soft robotic systems that adapt their stiffness on the fly. Think encryption that hides in plain sight or machines that adjust themselves mid-operation.
Metamaterials have long promised unusual mechanical properties, but until now they've been stuck with fixed designs. This breakthrough pushes them firmly into the realm of adaptive manufacturing, aerospace, robotics, and beyond.
"Materials science is evolving," Prof. Leng says. "The future isn't just about building stronger or lighter structures. It's about creating materials that can think and perform multiple jobs at once."
International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing (IJEM, IF: 21.3) is dedicated to publishing the best advanced manufacturing research with extreme dimensions to address both the fundamental scientific challenges and significant engineering needs.
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