Additive manufacturing for structuring stimuli-responsive materials

MRS Communications 2026 Open access

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Authors: Nathan Lazarus, Sharmin Jahan, Jayla D. Wade, Iain Kierzewski, Alex Langrock, Brendan Hanrahan
DOI: 10.1557/s43579-026-00919-w
Cited by: 3
References: 89

Abstract

Abstract Technologies such as multimaterial printing have enabled the increasing integration of sensing, actuation and other responsiveness into 3D printed parts and opened up a wide range of new applications. In this short review, we focus on several new and emerging approaches for stimuli-responsive materials from ferroelectret and shape memory behaviors of conventional printable polymers to novel polyurethane-acrylate elastomers and ferroelectric composites for printing electromechanical actuators. We will conclude with a discussion of applications of novel applications of stimuli-responsive 3D printed polymers from 4D printing to soft robotics, along with a perspective on future trends in the field. Graphical abstract

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Materials and Mechanics Dielectric materials and actuators Polymer composites and self-healing

Publication details

Journal / source
MRS Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
28–42
Publication date
28 January 2026
Language
EN