A material that change the shape and colour of 3D printed parts

Researchers at Darmouth College have been successful in developing a unique new 3D printing material. They have created a smart ink that would allow 3D printed parts to change shape and colour over time. This research will interest and benefit sectors such as biomedicine and energy industry.

Chenfeng Ke

Two months ago, a team of MIT had presented its new ink printable in 3D, also capable to change the colour of the printed parts in 3D. A process called “ColorFab” which may be of interest to more than one user, seeking to add colour to his impressions although there are today more and more printers that allow you to do so. This time the Researchers of the Dartmouth College are gone further by proposing a material which could also change the shape of the piece itself.

“This technique brings 3D printed objects to life,” said Chenfeng Ke, assistant professor of chemistry at Dartmouth. Although many 3D printed structures are only shapes that do not reflect the molecular properties of the material, these inks provide functional molecules to the 3D printing world and we can now print smart objects for a variety of uses.” He goes on to explain that his team wanted to offer higher levels of control over the molecular structure of 3D printed parts.