As the authors point out, 4D printing has continued to progress with further inventions in technique and materials. This gives it even more potential in applications like self-constructing structures, medical devices, and soft robotics, although there are still obstacles. FDM and SLA 3D printing are most commonly used for creating 4D objects made of metamaterials that can be flexible or cushioning as needed, good for products like lifters, microtubes, robotics, and toys too.
“To achieve directional shape change (contrary to trivial uniform swelling), the 4D-printed structure will consist of material anisotropy,” state the researchers. “This requires congruently printing a combination of multiple materials.”
Currently, the classes of materials being used in 4D printing are:
- Thermo-responsive
- Moisture-responsive
- Photo-responsive
- Electro-responsive
- Magneto-responsive
Self-construction structures are one of the most promising areas of 4D printing, with items such as self-folding cubes offering the potential for changing the world of packaging forever due to shape memory effect. Other important devices include self-rolled cylindrical tubes constructed with even distributed smart polymer grids.
“Smart materials can also be printed in a gradient distribution to allow researchers to control the surface curvature of a print,” state the authors in their paper. “This technology can greatly save space by fabricating structures as flat shapes. It is also capable of realizing complicated surface curvatures that are difficult to manufacture through traditional methods.”
One of the main benefits of 4D printing is in how it can control materials, with researchers continuing to make progress in this area. 4D printed materials are already being used in the medical field for devices such as prosthetics, implants, splints, stents, and even pharmaceuticals and targeted drug delivery. As 3D continues to be paired with robots—whether in making parts for them or in creating robots that can operate 3D printers—taking it to the next level in soft robotics with 4D printing is logical:
“Traditional robotics, primarily due to being made of rigid materials, have limitations in performing organic and compliant operations such as the grip of a human hand or the intricate motion of an octopus tentacle. Consequently, the field of soft robotics emerged in which certain soft materials, mainly special types of elastomers, are utilized as the interaction interface between robots and their environment,” state the researchers. “These soft materials allow for a gentle interaction with fragile objects and, when compared to traditional robotics, allow for a better tolerance towards damaging forces.”
Objects printed with complex geometries and no need for support structures or excessive post-processing procedures are made possible with some inkjet printing techniques also—allowing for the creation of durable actuators.
Current challenges in 4D printing are substantial though, including most hardware and materials, restrictions in mechanical properties, ‘slow and inaccurate actuation,’ along with insufficient control of varying phases of deformation.
“Advancements in printable smart materials, mathematical models, and printing technologies will allow for 4D-printing to further enhance surgical treatments, targeted drug delivery, soft robotics, and other unthought-of fields in engineering,” conclude the researchers.
The 4D realm continues to expand—and fascinate users everywhere—with innovations that not only form to their environments, but provide users and industry with exactly what they need in a wide range of applications whether for artistic endeavors, microfluidic structures, or seating for luxury vehicles. What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.
[Source / Image: ‘Developments in 4D-printing: a review on current smart materials, technologies, and applications’]