Fabrication and characterization of self-folding thermoplastic sheets using unbalanced thermal shrinkage

Soft Matter
Christian DanielsonKidong Park

Abstract

Self-folding or micro-origami technologies are actively investigated as a novel manufacturing process to fabricate three-dimensional macro/micro-structures. In this paper, we present a simple process to produce a self-folding structure with a biaxially oriented polystyrene sheet (BOPS) or Shrinky Dinks. A BOPS sheet is known to shrink to one-third of its original size in plane, when it is heated above 160 °C. A grid pattern is engraved on one side of the BOPS film with a laser engraver to decrease the thermal shrinkage of the engraved side. The thermal shrinkage of the non-engraved side remains the same and this unbalanced thermal shrinkage causes folding of the structure as the structure shrinks at high temperature. We investigated the self-folding mechanism and characterized how the grid geometry, the grid size, and the power of the laser engraver affect the bending curvature. The developed fabrication process to locally modulate thermomechanical properties of the material by engraving the grid pattern and the demonstrated design methodology to harness the unbalanced thermal shrinkage can be applied to develop complicated self-folding macro/micro structures.

References

Dec 27, 2005·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B·Jingjiao GuanL James Lee
Dec 21, 2007·Lab on a Chip·Anthony GrimesMichelle Khine
Mar 29, 2008·Lab on a Chip·Chi-Shuo ChenMichelle Khine
Aug 15, 2008·Small·Timothy G LeongDavid H Gracias
Nov 26, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Xiaoying GuoRalph G Nuzzo
Mar 30, 2010·Small·Timothy G LeongDavid H Gracias
Jul 10, 2010·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·E HawkesR J Wood
Nov 11, 2010·Lab on a Chip·Christina L RandallDavid H Gracias
Mar 20, 2012·Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews·Rohan Fernandes, David H Gracias
Jun 18, 2014·Nano Letters·Kate MalachowskiDavid H Gracias
Nov 21, 2014·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Al de LeonRigoberto C Advincula

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 22, 2018·Chemistry, an Asian Journal·Chen Yu LiQiang Zheng
Aug 17, 2019·Biomedical Microdevices·Chao YinMinglin Li
Feb 8, 2018·Soft Matter·Amrita RathPijush Ghosh
Nov 7, 2018·Journal of Materials Chemistry. B, Materials for Biology and Medicine·Yu LiQiang Chen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.