Open Research Practice in 4D Design and Additive Manufacturing of Thermo-mechanical Metamaterials

Other researchers can validate and build upon my research using the shared resources, [instilling confidence in it]

- Mahdi Bodaghi

Tell us a bit about you and your research.

My name is Mahdi Bodaghi, and I am an Associate Professor of smart materials and manufacturing at Nottingham Trent University. My research focuses on the innovative field of 4D design and printing of thermo-mechanical metamaterials, which are advanced materials engineered to have properties not found in naturally occurring substances. By utilising shape-memory polymers and applying lattice generation strategies, I aim to create sustainable thermo-mechanical metamaterials with exceptional features such as resilience, recoverability, repairability, and enhanced energy absorption/dissipation.

Tell us about a project you were involved in which used Open Research practices and principles?

This research was chosen due to the urgent need for sustainable and resilient materials that can respond dynamically to environmental stimuli like temperature, which is critical for applications in automotive, aerospace, biomedical devices, and robotics. The ultimate goal is to develop materials that not only meet current technological demands but also pave the way for future advancements in smart, autonomous systems. By integrating 4D printing technology, this research contributes to the creation of next-generation metamaterials that offer unparalleled performance and sustainability.

Describe the open research practice(s) employed in your study. Why did you select them?

1. Open Access Publishing: I published my research findings in open-access journals (e.g., [1-4]), ensuring that they are freely available to the global research community.
2. Data and Code Sharing: Experimental/computational results were shared within papers, promoting reproducibility and further innovation.
3. Roadmap and Position Papers: I shared my research vision and concepts through roadmap and position papers, such as the “Why Space?” position paper [5] published by Satellite Applications Catapult, and “4D Printing Roadmap” [6] published by SMS Journal.
4. Community Engagement: I involved stakeholders, including academic and industrial partners, in the research process through 4D Printing Society 2022-4 Conferences, public talks [7], public workshops [8], technology showcasing [9], and attending the UK Design for AM and Metamaterials Networks events [10], and international conferences [11], fostering a collaborative research environment.

These practices were selected to foster an inclusive and collaborative research environment, enabling others to build upon my work and accelerating advancements in the field of smart metamaterials and manufacturing.

Did you face any challenges in the project, and how did you overcome them?

Data Management: Ensuring proper organisation and sharing of extensive datasets was quite complex. To address this, with the help of the Library’s Open Research Team on data management, I developed a data-management plan for data storage and accessibility.

IP Concerns: Sharing detailed research methods and results raised concerns about IP protection. To mitigate this, I collaborated with NTU’s legal team to establish clear guidelines on licensing/IP rights, allowing open sharing while protecting critical innovations.

Community Engagement: Engaging with a broad audience, including non-specialists, posed communication challenges. I conducted public workshops [8] and created educational materials [12] to effectively convey complex concepts, facilitating broader understanding and participation.

Reproducibility: Ensuring reproducibility of complex 4D design and printing processes was challenging. Detailed documentation and step-by-step protocols were provided, along with 1 tutorial [13], to assist students/researchers in replicating the modelling and experiments.

These were crucial in successfully implementing open research practices, enhancing the impact and reach of my work.

What has been the impact of adopting open research practice(s) in your project?

Adopting open research practices has significantly enhanced the impact of my 4D metamaterials and manufacturing project. By publishing in open-access journals, roadmaps, sharing data, giving public talks, and organising workshops, my research has become more inclusive and accessible, reaching a broader audience across various engineering disciplines and regions. These practices have also improved reproducibility and reliability, as other researchers can validate and build upon my research using the shared resources.

The transparent sharing of methodologies and results has fostered collaborations with both academic and industry partners, accelerating innovation and application of 4D printed metamaterials. Additionally, detailed papers, tutorials, talks, and workshops have ensured methodological rigor and reduced bias, further enhancing the credibility of my research findings.

All these open practices have not only boosted the reach and impact of my research but have also contributed to a more collaborative and trustworthy scientific community.

What did you learn from making this project ‘open’? Do you have any advice for others considering adopting open research practices?

Through this project, I learned the immense value of openness in advancing 4D design and printing of metamaterials research. Open practices not only enhance the visibility and impact of research but also foster a collaborative environment that accelerates innovation . I discovered that sharing data, methodologies, roadmaps, and perspectives transparently lead to higher reproducibility and credibility while also inviting constructive feedback from a broader audience.   This research, further supported by the RAEng / Leverhulme Trust Fellowship, exemplifies how targeted funding and open research practices together can accelerate innovation and broaden the societal impact of engineering research.

My advice to researchers considering open practices is to embrace transparency and collaboration. Start by publishing in journals that offer a route to openness and sharing your data/codes within/alongside papers or on reputable platforms . Engage with the community through workshops, roadmaps, and discussions to gather diverse perspectives. Although it may require additional resources and careful planning, the benefits of open research in terms of increased reach, collaboration, and impact are well worth the effort. Always ensure you protect IP through appropriate licensing while maximising accessibility.

What are you working on now?

I have received recent recognition and support provided by the Royal Academy of Engineering / Leverhulme Trust Fellowship for a follow-on project, ‘4D multi-physics modelling and printing of Shape-memory Meta-bio-composites (4DSMP),’ [14] further amplifying the impact and visibility of my research, fostering advancements in sustainable materials for industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare.

References

Mahdi Bodaghi | Nottingham Trent University