(44a) Mechano-Activated Shape Morphing of 3D Printed Ion Gels

4D printing of shape memory materials allow 3D printed structures to undergo shape transformation in response to an external stimulus. Herein, we present mechanio-activated shape morphing with full programmability and directional control. The programmability and multi-directional morphing are enabled via multi-material 3D printing and the ability to achieve morphing without the need for pre-stretching. By using different ion gels as inks, containing crosslinkable F127-BUM and polymerizable ionic liquids of various imidazolium cation tail length, the rate and extent of recovery can be spatially controlled to program the temporary shape of the construct. Using mechano-activation to induce shape change offers advantages such as orthogonality to other stimulus and facile control over magnitude of applied force. Examples of 2D to 3D shape transforming structures are demonstrated that have relevance to future applications in actuating structures and information encryption.