3D/4D Printing of Polymer-Based Composites and Lightweight Structures

Dear Colleagues,

Additive manufacturing (AM) has become one of the most promising techniques in the advanced and rapid fabrication domains. It can be applied in the manufacture of parts with complex shapes owing to its advantages, such as its relatively low costs and high production efficiency. In recent years, the use of additive technology to prepare polymer-based composites and lightweight structures has been a practice accepted by the industry.

This Special Issue will report on the latest developments in 3D-/4D-printed polymer-based composites and lightweight structures in various aspects, such as new 3D/4D printing processes for polymer-based short-fiber-/continuous-fiber-reinforced composites, innovative design methods for lightweight structures, and the functional structures achieved by polymer or polymer-based composites. As a relatively new research field, the 3D/4D printing of polymer-based composites and lightweight structures presents a number of challenges, but also considerable development potential. Thus, this Special Issue aims to collate the latest findings in this research field into a cohesive forum to identify the key challenges and opportunities that currently exist, share the latest research results, and promote progress in research related to polymer-based composites and lightweight structures in 3D/4D printing.

Potential topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mechanical analysis of 3D-/4D-printed polymers, polymer-based composites and lightweight structures;
• Novel 3D/4D printing technologies for polymers, polymer-based composites and lightweight structures;
• Design and optimization of polymer-based composites and lightweight structures for 3D/4D printing;
• Novel design methods (theoretical, computational, etc.);
• Processing and characterisation of 3D-/4D-printed polymers, polymer-based composites and lightweight structures;
• Simulation analysis of the 3D/4D printing process and performances of polymer-based composites and lightweight structures;
• The 4D printing of polymers, polymer-based composites and lightweight structures to achieve controlled changes in function;
• Advanced engineering applications (aerospace, automotive, etc.).

Dr. Yuan Chen
Guest Editor

Dr. Ping Cheng
Guest Editor Assistant

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