SUMMARY

This dissertation focuses on the photomechanical behaviors of two polymer systems: light-activated polymers (LAPs) and two-stage reactive polymers; and the applications to active structures as well as 3D printing. For the photomechanical study of LAPs, we develop a composite design to achieve photo-induced bending and use theoretical models to assist the bending performance. For two-stage polymers, we developed a photoviscoelastic model to describe the photo-induced property evolution observed in the experiments. We also explore the applications of photopolymers in additive manufacturing and use photopolymers mixed with salt particulates as ink to 3D print porous parts. Parts with 74% porosity can be printed in self-supported states and another part can be encapsulated inside owing to self-supporting and salt leaching.