A 3D-Printed Thermoresponsive Artificial Venus Flytrap Lobe Based on a Multilayer of Shape Memory Polymers.

Plant motion patterns and structures have inspired designers, researchers and engineers for centuries. Recent advancements in analyzing and manufacturing technologies have allowed for a deeper understanding of biological principles and their application to bioinspired engineered systems. This has advanced 3D printing of thermoresponsive materials, like shape memory polymers. These materials enable the translation and creation of complex bioinspired mobile structures. In this study, we use novel 3D printable shape memory polymers in a multi-material, multilayer system to create double curved surfaces that can change their curvature from concave to convex, like the lobes of a Venus flytrap. The artificial trap lobes can be manufactured by identifying suitable material combinations, bonding methods and programming parameters. In this study, the system parameters to achieve a motion and the closing behavior in response to a temperature change are characterized. The resulting trap lobe represents a successful translation of the prestress ratios and layered morphology found in the biological model into an autonomous artificial Venus flytrap.