Jérémy Odent, Sophie Vanderstappen, Antoniya Toncheva, Enzo Pichon, Thomas J. Wallin, Kaiyang Wang, Robert F. Shepherd, Philippe Duboisa and Jean-Marie Raquez
Abstract
Inspired by nature, we herein demonstrate a family of multi-responsive hydrogel-based actuators that are encoded with anisotropic swelling behavior to provide rapid and controllable motion. Fabrication of the proposed anisotropy-encoded hydrogel actuators relies on the high resolution stereolithography 3D printing of functionally graded structures made of discrete layers having different volume expansion properties. Three separate synthetic strategies based on (i) asymmetrical distribution of a layer's surface area to volume ratio via mechanical design, (ii) crosslinking density via UV photo-exposure, or
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Research Group Leader : Dr. Fouad Laoutid
Phone :+32(0)65.55.54.78
Secretariat : +32(0)65.37.34.83
The main research activities conducted in this unit are focused on the development of functional (bio)polymeric-based materials through sustainable processes. Sustainable solvent free reactive melt-processing, such as reactive and enzymatic extrusion or solid-state condensation are used for:
- Developing new (bio)polymeric materials from renewable building blocks.
- Upgrading (bio)polymers properties by chemical modification (grafting functional groups, chain extension/branching, reactive plasticization, ….)
- Compatibilization of (bio)polymer blends
Our goal is to develop new (bio)polymeric (nano)composites with specific functional properties such as:
- Designing inherent flame retardant (bio)polymers.
- Developing smart (bio)polymers, self-healing, shape memory, electro-stimulating properties, …
- Tuning the biodegradability of natural polymers.
- Enhancing (bio)polymers foamability and film-forming ability.
- Upgrading properties of recycled polymers