Frontiers, have recently issued a call for papers on : “Shape-Changing Polymers for Actively Moving Structures”, Smart Materials, Frontiers in Materials (Impact Factor: 3.5).
The overview starts with:
Active structures display the key features of smart behaviour, i.e. the possibility to sense external stimuli and respond with a specific action, as well as adaptability, i.e. the ability to change shape or properties to cope with environmental changes. In addition, no need for continuous external power/mechanical stimulus is required for such a response and a large set of possible stimuli (heat, solvent absorption, pH changes, light, electrical and magnetic fields) may be employed. Actively moving structures are able to convert a stimuli-responsive behaviour into a macroscopic movement and this can be achieved either thanks to the material’s intrinsic shape memory behaviour or to a specific microstructural arrangement, or even to a combination of both features. As a consequence, the active structure response relies on a finely engineered choice of materials, shapes and microstructures.
The topic identifies the following keywords as relevant to the research: shape memory, polymers, reversible actuation, actuation, 4D printing, 4D printed actuators, 4D printed metamaterials, metamaterials, soft robotics, shape changing polymers;
Full details can be found on their website using the following link, https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/24589/shape-changing-polymers-for-actively-moving-structures.