To assess the reliability of 4D printing materials for space applications, considering the impact due to long term ground storage and its effect on 4D printing functionalities, and characterizing the deployment of 4D printed materials in the space environment and the effect of the space environment on those materials.

 

4D printing is an emerging technology where a ?smart material? can respond in a pre-programmed way to an external stimuli. Significant advances in computer aided design, additive manufacturing and materials science have opened up the possibilities of self-assembly systems, self-healing and material property alterations. 3D printing layer by layer allows complex geometries to be built, with multi-functional properties. The current materials capable of ?4D printing? deliver exciting proof of concepts for future designs, however further development and qualifications are needed for their use in the space environment. The design of a deployment mechanism with fewer components, may have a lower risk of mechanical failures, and could potentially be cheaper, and simpler to control. Deployment mechanisms may only have to operate once or multiple times throughout their service life. The reliability and precision of deployment is paramount, thus understanding how 4D printed materials behave in microgravity, their fixity, repeatability and reversibility is a further challenge.

The activity encompasses the following tasks:

? Identify the materials and stimuli needed for the specific task. Establish material evaluation methodology, and process verification methodology.

? Define test method for space material standardization and environmental testing which covers the ground as well as space environment. (Long term storage, Radiation, thermal cycling, vibration, ATOX etc. )

? Testing of the 4D printed material before and after exposure to the ground/space environment. Identify limiting factors within the 4D printing material and assess the reliability of the overall material system.

 

The test plan will be defined to take into account the:

? Effects of long term ground storage on deployment

? Deployment accuracy/fixity of the 4D printed material

? The effects of the space environment (on e.g. Multiple deployments)

? The impact of the number of cycles and the overall reliability of the material system