Researchers in South Korea have recently developed a novel 3D printing method that allows soft actuators made from a single material to stretch or contract when exposed to heat. They created a 3D-printable liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) whose molecular alignment can be controlled during printing. By changing the printing speed or temperature, the team was able to determine how the material responds to heat. As per the team, the material can be used in soft robots, artificial muscles, wearables, and other shape-changing devices. Liquid crystal elastomers are useful for these applications, because their molecular structure can change in response to stimuli such as heat.