4D Printing: Whatever You Like, Whatever You wish

4D Printing

4D printing, cooler than 3D printing!


4D printing develops materials that can change properties and characteristics based on changes in the environment—like temperature. The changes could let materials self-assemble thus speeding up manufacturing and reducing labour requirements. 4D technology and equipment is expected to grow rapidly in the healthcare, aerospace, defence, and automotive industries after it’s commercialisation.

The healthcare market could use the technology for tissue engineering, self-assembling biomaterials, and creating Nano robots for chemotherapy. For the automotive industry, 4D printing could lead to coatings that adapt to sun, wind, and rain. The aerospace market might benefit from 4D printing by way of self-repairing parts or planes and printed solar panels to power satellites. Potential innovations in the military and defence sector include textiles with camouflage capabilities and self-healing materials for bridges and temporary roads.

We imagine there’s a wide range of applications such as home appliances and products that can adapt to heat or moisture to improve comfort or add functionality. Childcare products that can react to humidity or temperature, for example, or clothes and footwear that optimises their form and function by reacting to changes in the environment.

With 4D printing there’s a lot to play with. Now, that 3D printing captured our imagination, just think what adding time to the equation could do.