What are 4D and smart materials? What are their collaborative uses?

Introduction

We learn more and more about brand-new 4D printing efforts. The 4D printing method uses the same printing process as 3D printing; however, the material used in these two manufacturing processes differs, making it possible to produce 4D printed things. These materials are referred to as smart materials.

If 3D printing has already utterly revolutionised the industrial sector, 4D printing has the potential to do the same. In fact, this method might make it possible to build more than just static structures.

What is the definition of smart materials?

Smart materials are those that exhibit one or more qualities that respond to environmental stimuli. They may also be referred to as responsive materials. When exposed to hot water, pressure, chemicals, light, or heat, these things can alter shape or behaviour.

You might even be able to self-assemble these smart materials as soon as you touch them. It is possible for such an object to transform into a brand new shape when it is stimulated with an external stimulus since these materials are reacting to their physical environment when faced with an external stimulus.

What do you mean by 4D printing?

During the process of 4D printing, a 3D printed object undergoes a change in structure as a result of external energy sources such as temperature, light, and other environmental factors which influence the object's morphology.

There is a technology that is part of the self-assembly lab at MIT that is working on this project. In order to imagine how construction, manufacturing, product assembly, and performance might be reimagined, the focus of this project will be to combine technology and design in order to develop self-assembling and programmable material technologies.

Workflow of 4D Printing

There is a technology called 4D printing which involves the use of commercial 3D printers, such as the Polyjet 3D printer. One of the inputs to the system is the smart material, which can either be a hydrogel or a shape memory polymer.

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