A model of a 4D-printed trachea, or windpipe, applied to a patient in 2016 in Xi'an. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The researchers led by Lyu Jian, chair professor of mechanical engineering, made use of the elastic energy stored in the stretched precursors for shape morphing.

When the stretched ceramic precursors are released, they undergo self-reshaping and after heat treatment, the precursors turn into ceramics.

The resultant elastomer-derived ceramics are mechanically robust, can have a high compressive strength-to-density ratio, and can come in large sizes with high strength compared to other printed ceramics.

"With the versatile shape-morphing capability of the printed ceramic precursors, there can be many applications," says Lyu.

One promising application can be for electronic devices, because ceramic materials have much better performance in transmitting electromagnetic signals than metallic materials. With the arrival of 5G networks, ceramic products can play a key role in the manufacture of electronics.

Also, the capability to form complex shapes provides the potential for tailor-made, ceramic mobile phone back plates.

Further, this innovation can be used in the aerospace industry and for space exploration.

"Since ceramics are a mechanically robust material that can tolerate high temperatures, 4D-printed ceramics have the potential to be used as a propulsion component in the aerospace field," says Lyu.

Xinhua