4D Printing onto Textile: Fabrication and Design Process of Bistable 4D textiles

4D printing allows the material to transform from one shape to another over time. 4D printing onto textiles results in deformation leading to self-formation and responsivity that informs potential architectural cladding applications. Due to the self-forming properties of textiles after 4D printing, 3D printing patterns can produce bistable structures. Bistable materials composed of 4D textiles shift their current shape from one state to another. The combination of knitted textiles and 4D printing enhances material properties to satisfy performative criteria of potential building skins and enclosures. This study demonstrates a novel approach to fabricate bistable materials by 3D printing onto textiles and controlling the material behavior with an actuation system. The contributions of this study include 3D printing pattern generation to achieve bistable behavior, integration of digital and traditional fabrication techniques, and the addition of a new layer of functionality and responsivity to the textile material.