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Structural multi-colour invisible inks with submicron 4D printing of shape memory polymers

Author

Listed:
  • Wang Zhang

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Hao Wang

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Hongtao Wang

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • John You En Chan

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Hailong Liu

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design
    Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)

  • Biao Zhang

    (Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Yuan-Fang Zhang

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Komal Agarwal

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Xiaolong Yang

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Anupama Sargur Ranganath

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Hong Yee Low

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Qi Ge

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Joel K. W. Yang

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design
    Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)

Abstract

Four-dimensional (4D) printing of shape memory polymer (SMP) imparts time responsive properties to 3D structures. Here, we explore 4D printing of a SMP in the submicron length scale, extending its applications to nanophononics. We report a new SMP photoresist based on Vero Clear achieving print features at a resolution of ~300 nm half pitch using two-photon polymerization lithography (TPL). Prints consisting of grids with size-tunable multi-colours enabled the study of shape memory effects to achieve large visual shifts through nanoscale structure deformation. As the nanostructures are flattened, the colours and printed information become invisible. Remarkably, the shape memory effect recovers the original surface morphology of the nanostructures along with its structural colour within seconds of heating above its glass transition temperature. The high-resolution printing and excellent reversibility in both microtopography and optical properties promises a platform for temperature-sensitive labels, information hiding for anti-counterfeiting, and tunable photonic devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang Zhang & Hao Wang & Hongtao Wang & John You En Chan & Hailong Liu & Biao Zhang & Yuan-Fang Zhang & Komal Agarwal & Xiaolong Yang & Anupama Sargur Ranganath & Hong Yee Low & Qi Ge & Joel K. W. Yang, 2021. "Structural multi-colour invisible inks with submicron 4D printing of shape memory polymers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20300-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20300-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Qingrui Wang & Xiaoyong Tian & Daokang Zhang & Yanli Zhou & Wanquan Yan & Dichen Li, 2023. "Programmable spatial deformation by controllable off-center freestanding 4D printing of continuous fiber reinforced liquid crystal elastomer composites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Tomohiro Mori & Hao Wang & Wang Zhang & Chern Chia Ser & Deepshikha Arora & Cheng-Feng Pan & Hao Li & Jiabin Niu & M. A. Rahman & Takeshi Mori & Hideyuki Koishi & Joel K. W. Yang, 2023. "Pick and place process for uniform shrinking of 3D printed micro- and nano-architected materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Liwen Zhang & Xumin Huang & Tim Cole & Hongda Lu & Jiangyu Hang & Weihua Li & Shi-Yang Tang & Cyrille Boyer & Thomas P. Davis & Ruirui Qiao, 2023. "3D-printed liquid metal polymer composites as NIR-responsive 4D printing soft robot," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Ahmet F. Demirörs & Erik Poloni & Maddalena Chiesa & Fabio L. Bargardi & Marco R. Binelli & Wilhelm Woigk & Lucas D. C. Castro & Nicole Kleger & Fergal B. Coulter & Alba Sicher & Henning Galinski & Fr, 2022. "Three-dimensional printing of photonic colloidal glasses into objects with isotropic structural color," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.

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