Dr. Qingchuan Song

Project

Self-propagating stimulus-responsive surface
This livMatS project aims to develop stimulus-responsive switchable surfaces that are induced by mechanical and thermal signals. My work includes the development of shape-memory materials and structuring microstructure. In general, this is an interdisciplinary project related to chemistry and materials science.

Project outcomes

My project tackled key challenges in digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing for soft, flexible devices. My aim was to develop novel functional material systems to expand multi-material 3D printing capabilities, focusing on robust soft-hard integration, truly elastic shape-memory polymers, and chemically resistant elastomers. This involved synthesizing new monomers, formulating photocurable resins, and optimizing printing techniques. In my work, I developed three distinct material systems that 3D printable:

• A soft-hard combination with strong interfacial adhesion enabled integrated actuators with features like self-sealing valves.

• A novel shape-memory elastomer, uniquely maintaining elasticity across its thermal transition, allowed for 4D printed programmable actuators.

• A highly stretchable, chemically resistant fluoroelastomer was created, facilitating multi-material microfluidic chips with valves and pumps capable of handling organic solvents. These advancements enable more complex, functional soft robotic and microfluidic systems.

First supervisor

Prof. Dr. Bastian Rapp

Qingchuan Song successfully defended his thesis in May 2025

Moved on to:
Post Doc Research position at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne with Prof. Daryl Yee

Publications in livMatS

• Antifouling PEG Coatings by Thiol-Acrylate Conjugate Addition Reactions for Generation of Protein Patterns via Photobleaching-Induced Protein Binding (PiPB) BioBitmaps Using Maskless Projection Lithography*
  Usama, A., Schäfer, E., Zhu, P., Song, Q., Weissbach, A., Helmer, D., Wollschläger, J., You, C., Steinhart, M., Rapp, B. E. (2025). Antifouling PEG Coatings by Thiol-Acrylate Conjugate Addition Reactions for Generation of Protein Patterns via Photobleaching-Induced Protein Binding (PiPB) BioBitmaps Using Maskless Projection Lithography. Advanced Materials Interfaces. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202500198
• A Paraffin-Based Photoresin: 3D Printing of Paraffin for Encapsulation-Free Shape-Stabilized Paraffin-Based Phase Change Materials*
  Subhash, S., Song, Q., Kamm, P., Franco, S., Chen, Y., Helmer, D., Pelz, U., Kotz-Helmer, F., Woias, P., Rapp, B. E. (2025). A Paraffin-Based Photoresin: 3D Printing of Paraffin for Encapsulation-Free Shape-Stabilized Paraffin-Based Phase Change Materials. Advanced Materials Technologies. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202500617
• 3D printed elastic fluoropolymer with high stretchability and enhanced chemical resistance for microfluidic applications*
  Song, Q., Hamza, A., Li, C., Sedeky, A., Chen, Y., Zhu, M., Goralczyk, A., Mayoussi, F., Hou, P., Piesold, C., Helmer, D., Rapp, B. E., Kotz-Helmer, F. (2024). 3D printed elastic fluoropolymer with high stretchability and enhanced chemical resistance for microfluidic applications. Additive Manufacturing, Volume 81, 103991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2024.103991
• 4D Printed Shape-Memory Elastomer for Thermally Programmable Soft Actuators
  Song, Q., Chen, Y., Slesarenko, V., Zhu, P., Hamza, A., Hou, P., Helmer, D., Kotz-Helmer, F. & Rapp, B. E. (2023). 4D Printed Shape-Memory Elastomer for Thermally Programmable Soft Actuators. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15 (34), 40923-40932. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c07436
• Fabrication of Multi-Material Pneumatic Actuators and Microactuators Using Stereolithography*
  Song, Q., Chen, Y., Hou, P., Zhu, P., Helmer, D., Kotz-Helmer, F., & Rapp, B. E. (2023). Fabrication of Multi-Material Pneumatic Actuators and Microactuators Using Stereolithography. Micromachines, 14(2), 244. doi: 10.3390/mi14020244