Work

Laser-stimulated 4D printing of magnetostrictive Fe-Co-V

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Magnetostrictive materials hold non-contact stimulation-responsive properties, which exhibit promising prospects in aviation and marine engineering. However, high-end equipment is frequently employed in changeable environments during service. A slight deformation in magnetostrictive effect makes it complicated to meet the demands of macroscopic applications. 4D printing is that the 3D printed object could evolve with time when it is under specific stimuli. Herein, we present a method of 4D printing magnetostrictive materials to endow service parts with laser-responsive macroscopic strain and magnetically responsive microscopic strain. The internal stress in laser powder bed fused magnetostrictive samples can be redistributed via adjusting laser stimulation parameters and scanning strategies. This redistribution induces macroscopic plastic deformation at the selected location. Dynamic control of the samples’ microstructure and electromagnetic properties can be accomplished during shape-morphing stimulation. This breakthrough addresses the strain scale limitations of magnetostrictive materials, promoting the cross-scale shape-morphing application of 4D printing in electromagnetic engineering. A method of dynamically controlled printing of magnetostrictive materials is proposed to endow service parts with laser-responsive macroscopic strain and magnetically responsive microscopic strain, overcoming the strain scale limitations of magnetostrictive materials.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69378-0