Final answer:
To design a highly flexible object using 3D printing, a highly branched polymer like low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or semi-flexible polymers and polymer gels would be the best materials due to their elasticity and ability to return to their original form after deformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are designing an object that requires a high degree of flexibility, you would want to choose a 3D printing material that demonstrates the elements of elasticity and is able to return to its original shape after deformation. A highly branched polymer such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is an excellent option for creating objects that need to be flexible and light. LDPE is less dense and less rigid compared to its counterpart, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is used for more rigid and strong objects such as plastic bottles. This aligns with the characteristics of biological materials, where the combination of toughness and elasticity is important for support structures.
Another viable option for 3D printing flexible objects could be semi-flexible polymers or polymer gels, which can provide further flexibility and adapt to the needed applications. These materials are suitable when the object has to endure bending and stretching while still maintaining its shape.
Relevant concepts to consider include the adhesion of vesicles and capsules, which can play a role in material flexibility by allowing movement at the molecular level, and biomimetics, which studies biological materials to inspire the development of flexible materials.