Design for 4D Printing of Biodegradable Shape Memory Polymers for Disposable UAV Systems

The use of bio-based smart materials is vital for achieving the desired morphing characteristics while improving the efficiency of disposable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems. Smart materials combine the structure and actuator into a single element without discrete moving parts, thereby minimizing the weight and mechanical complexity of the UAV system. Biodegradable smart materials facilitate the realization of smart actuation concepts that help in potentially improving system reliability and reducing the risk of potential component failure. However, the manufacturing of biodegradable smart materials is a huge challenge. Recent advances in 3D printing technologies have opened new possibilities for manufacturing biodegradable smart materials. The 3D printing technologies have been further extended to 4D printing, which essentially involves fabricating 3D smart structures. The goal of this research is to investigate the manufacturing challenges involved in the 4D printing of biodegradable smart polymer materials for disposable UAV systems. The manufacturing process consists of a combination of biodegradable smart polymer materials in conjunction with SLA-based 3D printing technology. The study will involve extensive theoretical investigations followed by experimental studies. The results of this study are expected to open up new possibilities for using biodegradable smart polymer materials at commercial scales.