3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / New 3D Printing Process Enables Stress-Responsive, Color-Changing Materials for Smart Sensing, Displays and Robotics
revopoint

New 3D Printing Process Enables Stress-Responsive, Color-Changing Materials for Smart Sensing, Displays and Robotics

May 5, 2025

Researchers from Penn Engineering, Harvard University, Duke University, UC Berkeley, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a method to 3D print cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs). The team’s work, published in Advanced Materials, enables the creation of color-changing materials that respond to mechanical stress. CLCEs are soft, rubbery materials that can manipulate light similar to beetle shells, changing color when subjected to physical force.

New 3D Printing Process Enables Stress-Responsive, Color-Changing Materials for Smart Sensing, Displays and Robotics
Stretching the lattice-like CLCE structure shows how the material changes color in response to mechanical stress. (Image Credit: Penn Engineering Today)

The new technique utilizes Coaxial Direct Ink Writing (DIW), overcoming previous limitations that confined CLCEs to 2D planar films. Researchers solved a key challenge by developing a transparent silicone shell that serves as a scaffold for the CLCE core. “This unique combination of materials allowed us to preserve the color-changing properties of the CLCEs while providing the necessary structural strength to support intricate 3D designs,” said Alicia Ng, lead author of the study.

Applications for this technology span multiple industries including healthcare, robotics, and environmental monitoring. The materials could be used in wearable devices that provide visual feedback about mechanical stress or swelling. Katherine Riley, mechanical engineer at LLNL, noted potential uses in “robotic grippers that can snap open and closed, metamaterial sheets that can passively sense and record mechanical loads, and mechanical logic systems.”

A sampling of different structures and shapes the team is making with 3D-printed CLCEs. (Image Credit: Penn Engineering Today)

The research team is exploring combinations of CLCEs with temperature or light-responsive materials to create multi-stimulus responsive materials. They have already printed various structures including lattices, wraps, and filaments, with plans to develop more complex designs. The team is also considering more environmentally friendly approaches, potentially incorporating elements from biofilms.

This collaborative project benefited from the combined expertise in polymers, liquid crystal elastomers, and 3D printing across multiple institutions. Funding came from the National Science Foundation, Harvard MRSEC, the Army Research Office MURI program, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The research continues through an LLNL Laboratory Directed Research and Development Strategic Initiative aimed at developing “sentient” materials.

Source: blog.seas.upenn.edu

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

Vietnam Emerges in High-Tech Medicine as Vinmec Pioneers 3D-Printed Breakthroughs

Across pediatric, adult, and geriatric cases, Vietnam’s Vinmec Healthcare System's implementation of 3D printing solutions has significantly transformed patient outcomes, replacing disability with... read more »

Medical
Vietnam Emerges in High-Tech Medicine as Vinmec Pioneers 3D-Printed Breakthroughs

Johns Hopkins APL Helps Navy Overcome Metal 3D Printing Reliability Concerns

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) are working with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to address reliability concerns with... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Johns Hopkins APL Helps Navy Overcome Metal 3D Printing Reliability Concerns

New 3D Printing Technique Creates Glass Objects at Low Temperatures

Researchers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory have developed a new low-temperature process for 3D printing glass objects. This method creates complex glass structures without... read more »

News
New 3D Printing Technique Creates Glass Objects at Low Temperatures

Farsoon Launches High-Volume Copper Alloy 3D Printing System FS621M-Cu

Farsoon has developed a specialized 3D printing system for producing large copper alloy components for aerospace applications. The company's new FS621M-Cu system, built... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Farsoon Launches High-Volume Copper Alloy 3D Printing System FS621M-Cu

Pratt & Whitney Tests 3D Printed Rotating Part for TJ150 Engine

Pratt & Whitney has completed a series of tests on its 3D printed TJ150 turbine wheel. The company, an RTX business, reports the... read more »

Aerospace
Pratt & Whitney Tests 3D Printed Rotating Part for TJ150 Engine

University of Bristol Researchers are Testing 3D-Printed Structures for Earthquake Resistance

University of Bristol researchers are testing 3D-printed structures for earthquake resistance using a specialized shaking table. The experiment, conducted at the university's Soil... read more »

Construction
University of Bristol Researchers are Testing 3D-Printed Structures for Earthquake Resistance

3D Printing Technology Tested on Historic Bridge in Great Barrington as Potential Solution for Aging Infrastructure

Researchers from UMass Amherst and MIT have successfully applied 3D printing technology to repair a bridge in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The test utilized... read more »

3D Printing Metal
3D Printing Technology Tested on Historic Bridge in Great Barrington as Potential Solution for Aging Infrastructure

Neighborhood 91 Advances Additive Manufacturing Hub Initiative

The Pittsburgh region is strengthening its position in advanced manufacturing with the development of Neighborhood 91 (N91), an additive manufacturing campus adjacent to... read more »

News
Neighborhood 91 Advances Additive Manufacturing Hub Initiative

Sakuu Receives Fast Company Award for Dry Electrode Printing Technology

Sakuu has been named a winner in Fast Company's 2025 World Changing Ideas Awards for its Kavian dry electrode printing process. The company's... read more »

Electronics
Sakuu Receives Fast Company Award for Dry Electrode Printing Technology

Vietnam Sets Global Record with 3D-Printed Femur for 8-Year-Old Cancer Patient

Vinmec Healthcare System in Vietnam has achieved a medical milestone by successfully implanting the world's first fully 3D-printed titanium femur in an eight-year-old... read more »

Medical
Vietnam Sets Global Record with 3D-Printed Femur for 8-Year-Old Cancer Patient

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing