Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.

Stratasys, Inc.

Carbitex, Inc.

Logicink Corporation

Skylar J E Tibbits

Jared Smith Laucks

Schendy G Kernizan

Bjorn Eric Sparrman

Athina Papadopoulou

Daniel Dikovsky

Paul Noll

Shai Hirsch

Junus Ali Khan

Marcelo Henrique Coelho

Tal Danino

Christophe Guberan

Kathleen Sofia Hajash

Carlos Olguin

Masaki Otomori

Nobuhiro Miya

Dimitrios Mairopoulos

Liquid metals or plastic are deposited into a reservoir of powder that supports the liquid metal or plastic as it cools.

Liquid metal printing

The combination of 3D printing technology plus the additional dimension of transformation over time of the printed object is referred to herein as 4D printing technology. Particular arrangements of the additive manufacturing material(s) used in the 3D printing process can create a printed 3D object that transforms over time from a first, printed shape to a second, predetermined shape.

Methods for additive manufacturing of an object

Described are methods for making three dimensional objects. A nozzle is positioned within a gel inside a container of gel. The position of the nozzle within the gel is changed while depositing solidifying material through the nozzle. The gel supports the solidifying material at the position at which the solidifying material is deposited. The solidifying material is solidified to form a solid material, which is a three-dimensional object.

Additive manufacturing in gel-supported environment

Active fabrics typically include a plurality of fibers. At least one of the fibers exhibits a change in length or width upon exposure to an external stimulus, such as heat, moisture, or light. The active woven materials can exhibit local transformation, such as creating areas that are tighter or more open, or global transformation, such as changing from flat to curled. The effect is a precise and repeatable change in shape upon exposure to an external stimulus. Embodiments can be employed, for example, in sportswear, compression garments, furniture, and interior products.

Active woven materials

An active lattice capable of self-transforming responsive to a stimulus, such as heat or moisture, includes a plurality of links interconnected to each other at a plurality of nodes. At least a subset of links includes at least two materials that have different coefficients of expansion in response to an external stimulus. The two materials can be arranged in an alternating, periodic or aperiodic pattern. Embodiments can be used in apparel and sportswear, manufacturing, aviation and automotive applications, and furniture and interior products.

Active lattices

A self-transforming structure is formed from a flexible, fibrous composite having a weave pattern of fibers woven at intersecting angles, the weave pattern having a boundary and one or more axes for the fibers, and an added material coupled to the flexible, fibrous composite to form a structure, wherein the flexible, fibrous composite and the added material have different expansion or contraction rates in response to an external stimulus to cause the structure to self-transform, and wherein the added material has a grain pattern oriented relative the weave pattern of the flexible, fibrous composite. Applications of the self-transforming structures include aviation, automotive, apparel/footwear, furniture, and building materials. One particular example is for providing adaptive control of fluid flow, such as in a jet engine air inlet.

Self-transforming structures

This disclosure relates to a tattoo decal containing bacteria that can be applied to skin and function as both a monitoring sensor and a visual indicator. In particular, a temporary tattoo containing a bacteria composite that may be selected or 'programmed' to sense, detect, or otherwise react to a variety of stimuli for use in a variety of applications and industries is disclosed.

Programmable bacterial tattoo

Growing community of inventors

Boston, MA, United States of America

Skylar J E Tibbits