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The paper aims to promote the development of intelligent materials and the 4D printing technology by introducing recent advances and applications of additive layered manufacturing (ALM) technology of intelligent materials and the development of the 4D printing technology. Also, an arm-type ALM technology of shape memory polymer (SMP) with thermosetting polyurethane is briefly introduced.

This paper begins with an overview of the development and applications of intelligent materials around the world and the 4D printing technology. Then, the authors provide a brief outline of their research on arm-type ALM technology of SMP with thermosetting polyurethane.

The paper provides the recent developments and applications of intelligent materials and 4D printing technology. Then, it is suggested that intelligent materials mixed with different functional materials will be developed, and these types of materials will be more suitable for 4D printing.

This paper overviews the current developments and applications of intelligent materials and its use in 4D printing technology, and briefly states the authors’ research on arm-type ALM technology of SMP with thermosetting polyurethane.

This article aims to provide details of recent developments in robots that can change shape and self-reconfigure.

Following an introduction, this article first describes some recent developments in shape-changing materials and then considers a selection of shape-changing robots. It then discusses self-reconfiguring robots and describes a unique self-unfolding robot. Finally, concluding comments are drawn.

This article shows that research into true shape-changing robots is still at an early stage and several very different strategies are being studied. Novel materials are expected to play a key role in many designs and potential applications include search and rescue, health care and surveillance. Self-reconfiguring modular robots are at a more advanced stage and while many can reconfigure to adopt varying shapes and gaits, the ability to accomplish differing tasks in manufacturing is still some way in the future. Overall, the various classes of shape-changing robots being studied represent a move towards a new era in robotic capabilities, but despite many recent technological advances, considerable further work is required before these become a practical reality.

This article provides an insight into recent technological advances in shape-changing and self-reconfiguring robots.

The purpose of this paper is to focus on development and electrical characterization of miniature ion-selective electrode (ISE) for application in micro total analysis system or lab-on-chip devices. The presented ISE is made using low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC). It shows possibility of integration chemically sensitive layers with structures fabricated using modern microelectronic technology.

The presented ISEs were fabricated using LTCC microelectronic technology. The possibility of ISE fabrication on multilayer ceramic substrate made of two different LTCC material systems (CeramTec GC, Du Pont 951) with deposited thick-film silver pad is studied. Different configurations of LTCC/silver pad (surface, embedded) are taken into account. Electrical performance of all LTCC-based structures with integrated ISE was examined experimentally.

The preliminary measurements made for ammonium ions have shown good repeatability and linear response with slope of about 30-35 mV/dec. Moreover, no significant impact of the LTCC material system and silver pad configuration on fabricated ISEs’ electrical properties was noticed.

The presented research is a preliminary work. The authors focused on ISE fabrication on LTCC substrates without any microfluidic structures. Therefore, further research work will be needed to evolve ion-selective membrane deposition inside microfluidic structures made in LTCC substrates.

Development of the LTCC-based ISE makes the fabrication of detection units for integrated microfluidic systems possible. These devices can find practical applications in analytical diagnosis and continuous monitoring of various biochemical parameters.

This paper shows design, fabrication and performance of the novel ISE fabrication using LTCC technology.

The purpose of this study is to improve the anticorrosion performance of low nickel stainless steel (AISI 201) in 3.5% NaCl by electroactive polyimide/copper oxide (EPI/CuO) composites coating.

Electroactive polyimide/copper oxide (EPI/CuO) composites were prepared by oxidative coupling polymerization followed by thermal imidization method.

The functional and structural properties of composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transmission infra-red and ultra violet-visible spectroscopy and the surface topography was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope analysis and anticorrosion performance in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl was evaluated by electrochemical techniques. The obtained results of electrochemical techniques measurement indicated that the composites coated samples give better corrosion protection against attacking electrolyte.

The ever-increasing price of nickel (Ni) is driving the industries to use low-Ni austenitic stainless steels (ASSs). However, it exhibits relatively poor corrosion resistance as compared with conventional Cr-Ni ASSs. Nonetheless, its corrosion resistance can be enhanced by polymeric (electroactive polyimide [EPI]) coating. CuO particles exhibit the hydrophobic properties and can be used as inorganic filler to incorporate in EPI to further enhance the corrosion protection. The present research paper is beneficial for industries to use low-cost AISI 201, enhance its corrosion resistance and replace the use of costly conventional Cr-Ni ASSs.

Aims to project how electroactive polymer will replace conventional electromagnetic motor driven solutions for service and industrial robots.

Presents the ability of electro active polymer to provide higher power density for robot actuation over conventional approaches. Laboratory tests by DARPA compared electroactive polymer with conventional electromagnetic methodologies as well as shape memory alloy and piezo solutions.

Tests by DARPA and SRI International showed significant power density advantages for electroactive polymer artificial muscles (EPAM). Robot prototypes and well as early commercial prototypes developed by Artificial Muscle, Inc. in pumps, valves, and actuators prove superior performance over other actuation solutions.

Introduces a new low cost, low power consumption, light weight, and silent method for actuation for robots and other motion control devices.

A new cutting tool is always well-defined and sharp at the onset of the metal cutting process and gradually losses these properties as the machining process advances. Similarly, at the beginning of the machining process, amplitude of tool vibrations is considerably low and it increases gradually and peaks at the end of the service period of the cutting tool while machining. It is significant to provide a corresponding real-time varying damping to control this chatter, which directly influences accuracy and quality of productivity. This paper aims to review the literature related to the application of smart fluid to control vibration in metal cutting and also focused on the challenges involved in the implementation of active control system during machining process.

Smart dampers, which are used as semi-active and active dampers in metal cutting, were reviewed and the research studies carried out in the field of the magnetorheological (MR) damper were concentrated. In smart materials, MR fluids possess some disadvantages because of their sedimentation of iron particles, leakage and slow response time. To overcome these drawbacks, new MR materials such as MR foam, MR elastomers, MR gels and MR plastomers have been recommended and suggested. This review intents to throw light into available literature which exclusively deals with controlling chatter in metal cutting with the help of MR damping methods.

Using an MR damper popularly known for its semi-active damping characteristics is very adaptable and flexible in controlling chatter by providing damping to real-time amplitudes of tool vibration. In the past, many researchers have attempted to implement MR damper in metal cutting to control vibration and were successful. Various methods with the help of MR fluid are illustrated.

A new cutting tool is always well-defined and sharp at the onset of metal cutting process and gradually losses these properties as the machining process advances. Similarly, at the beginning of the machining process, amplitude of tool vibrations is considerably low and it increases gradually and peaks at the end of service period of cutting tool while machining. Application of MR damper along with the working methodology in metal cutting is presented, challenges met are analyzed and a scope for development is reviewed.

This study provides corresponding real-time varying damping to control tool vibration which directly influences accuracy and quality of productivity. Using an MR damper popularly known for its semi-active damping characteristics is very adaptable and flexible in controlling chatter by providing damping to real-time amplitudes of tool vibration.

This study attempts to implement smart damper in metal cutting to control vibrations.

It is significant to provide corresponding real-time varying damping to control tool vibration which directly influences accuracy and quality of productivity.

The purpose of this study is to develop a additive manufacturing (AM) process for the fabrication of ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) devices with complex designs that would be time-consuming to replicate using conventional manual methods. These IPMC devices have considerable potential in electroactive polymers (EAPs) and soft actuators.

This paper presents a novel three–dimensional (3D) AM technique to develop IPMCs. Digital light processing (DLP) fabrication of soft EAPs was undertaken using a vat-based AM method, followed by deposition of cost-effective outer silver electrodes.

DLP-fabricated devices were compared to conventional Nafion™-117 devices. DLP layer-by-layer fabrication of these devices allowed for good resolution for a range of printed objects. Electrical actuation of the DLP-produced IPMCs showed tip displacements of up to 3 mm, and greater actuation was seen in the presence of lithium rather than magnesium cations. The IMPCs showed good ion exchange capacities, while electrochemical analysis showed the reversible formation and removal of AgCl layers in addition to ion movement.

The AM of these devices allows for rapid prototyping as well as potential use in the development of multiple degrees of freedom actuators and devices.

An original resin formulation was developed for DLP 3D printing. This formula is chemically distinct from the conventional Nafion™-117 membranes that can be purchased. Additionally, this method allows for the manufacture of complex objects that would be difficult to machine by hand. These findings are of value to both the fields of polymer chemistry and AM.

The stimulus of the successful semiconductor device miniaturisation programmes coupled to recent progress in synthetic chemistry and molecular engineering has led to the emergence of a new inter‐disciplinary activity—molecular electronics—which holds long‐term promise for a new range of electronic materials and devices. From very speculative origins the field has begun to generate important applications based on photoresists, Langmuir‐Blodgett films, electroactive polymers and photochromic materials. A selection of topics ranging from molecular switches, memories, sensors, and the biological interface to prospects for a molecular computer are discussed with special emphasis on features such as stability, self‐organisation and self‐assembly which are unique to molecular systems.