The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $279,788 Early-Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) under the Engineering (CFDA 47.041) program to the University of Pittsburgh. This EAGER award supports research to demonstrate 3D printing of polymeric materials that can transport charges and function as artificial muscles, converting thermal energy into mechanical work. The research aims to align ionic species within a printed polymer network to enable multifunctional components for applications like tunable electrolytes, self-sensing soft robotics, and responsive biomaterials. Key focus areas include understanding how printing parameters affect the configuration of charged species, characterizing the structure-property relationships in the printed liquid crystalline elastomers, and developing freeform artificial muscles that respond to stimuli. The award period runs from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
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