Hybrid Extrusion 3D Printing of Self-Deployable Smart Solar Panel Hinges
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Authors
Raymond, Lily
Issue Date
2022
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
direct ink writing , embedded 3D printing , fumed silica , hybrid material extrusion , self-supporting , shape memory polymer
Alternative Title
Abstract
Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been applied in many fields to make functional devices since they can recover their original shapes upon exposure to external stimuli. This project investigated a new hybrid direct ink writing (DIW) and embedded 3D printing (e-3DP) method to fabricate self-deployable smart, SMP solar panel hinges with embedded features. A SMP nanocomposite (SMNC) was designed to maintain its shape at a liquid state after being printed via DIW to inhibit the e-3DP of a strain sensor from conductive ink. Using this new SMNC ink, a complex hinge structure with an embedded strain sensor was successfully printed via the hybrid 3D printing method. The hinge was crosslinked under ultra-violet (UV) radiation and a resistance wire was used to control the transition from folded to unfolded states. The hybrid extrusion 3D printed SMNC hinge demonstrated SMP characteristics by successfully deploying mock solar panels on a mock space shuttle.