Additive manufacturing of cooling responsive shape memory hydrogel via FDM printing

In recent years, studies and researched in Shape Memory Materials (SMMs) have been growing in popularity. Shape Memory Materials or smart materials have a unique characteristic called Shape Memory Effect (SME). This particular characteristic allows Shape Memory Materials to be deformed indefinitely and only return to its original form after the right stimulus is applied to the material. Lately, these smart materials are used in additive manufacturing technology, such as rapid prototyping or 3D printing. These smart materials that are used 3D printing technology, are also known as 4D printing, are able to change its form or properties over time, as a response when a stimulus is applied. One of these Shape Memory Materials is Hydrogel, which is popular in various fields because of its unique attributes such as malleability, flexibility, and the ability to coexist with living tissue and organism without causing harm. Hydrogel have been used in volumetric 3D printing in past research papers. Nonetheless, there is a lack of exploration in other 3D printing methods of Hydrogel. The aim of this report is to explore other 3D printing method using Hydrogel, which is Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). The first phase of the study is to focus on FDM and its main component. The later phases focus on the alteration made to FDM printer to be used for Hydrogel, challenges faced and discusses the result produced.Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering