4D printing | History of 4D printing | Application of 4D printing

 

4D printing

4D printing uses the same technique as 3D printing by storing computer-programmed spreads in successive layers to create a three-dimensional object. Adds the dimension of the conversion 4D printing over time. It is, therefore, a kind of programmable substance, in that the product printed at the end of the fabrication process reacts with the parameters in the environment and changes its form accordingly. The ability to do this stems from near-infinite configurations in micrometer resolutions, creating solids through engineered molecular spatial distribution and thus allowing versatile performance. Generally, 4D printing is a reform of 3D printing that has special materials for printing post-production modified objects. A trigger can be water, heat, wind, and other kinds of energy.

History of 4D printing

The concept of 4D printing was first introduced by Tibbit, and researchers refined the definition as a 3D-printed structure that exhibits targeted shape or property conversions under external stimuli. Presently, most studies have focused on the ability to resize 4D-printed structures, including longevity bending, twisting, and shrinking. These behaviors can be further programmed to create lockers, lifters, microtubes, robots, and even toys. 4D-printed structure, to change the directional size of the material will be composed. This requires printing a combination of multiple contents together. The study of 4D printing is closely related to 3D printing where its advancement may provide new possibilities for 4D printing. The various research topics in 4D printing fall into the following categories: equipment development, distortion processes, and mathematical modeling.

Application of 4D printing

There is a different applications of 4D printing, such as follows-

i. Biomedical application of 4D printing

A research team led by Dr. Lizzie Grace Zhang of George Washington University has developed a new type of 4D-printable, photo-curable liquid resin. This resin is made from a renewable soybean oil epoxidized acrylate compound that is biocompatible. This resin is added to a small group of 3D-printable resins and is one of the few biocompatible. A laser 3D-printed sample of this resin fluctuated from -18°C to 37°C and showed a complete recovery of its original size. Printed scaffolds of this material have proven to be a successful foundation for human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell growth. The memory effects of this material and the strong qualities of biological consistency make researchers believe that it will strongly advance the development of biomedical scaffolds. This research article explores the use of plant oil polymers as liquid regenerators for the production of stereography in biomedical applications.

The proposed 4D bioprinting process will not have any negative impact on the performance of the printed cells and the self-folding hydrogel-based tubes support cell survival for at least 7 days without any reduction in cell performance. Consequently, the presented 4D bioprinting technique allows the fabrication of dynamic reconstructive architectures with protective functionality and responsiveness controlled by appropriate materials and cell selection.

ii. Commercial application of 4D printing

Skylar Tibbits details future applications as it may be suitable for specific environments as a programmable product of 4D-printed materials in the future and may respond as a result of temperature, humidity, pressure, and the sound of someone's body or environment. Tibbits also mentions the convenience of 4D printing for shipping applications - it allows products to be packaged flat so that their later-designed size can be activated on-site with a simple stimulus. There is also the possibility of 4D-printed shipping containers that respond to transit forces to distribute the load uniformly. It will most likely be able to repair 4D-printed materials after their failure. These components will be able to self-detach, making their components recyclable.

iii. Smart materials application of 4D printing

The electrolytic materials that exist today change their shape and size depending on the intensity and/or direction of the external electric field. Polyaniline and polypyrrole, in particular, can be doped with tetrafluoroborate to contract and expand under good conduction materials and electrical stimulation. A robot made with this material was moved using an electric pulse of 3V for 5 seconds, causing one leg to stretch, then removing the stimulus for 10 seconds, causing the other leg to move forward. Studies on carbon nanotubes, which are biocompatible and highly conductive, indicate that a combination of carbon nanotubes and a shaped memory sample has higher electrical conductivity and kinetic speed of the electromagnetic reaction than the sample alone. The magnetically reactive Ferro gets a deal in the presence of a strong magnetic field and as a result, has applications in drug and cell supply. The combination of carbon nanotubes and magnetically reactive particles has been imprinted for use in promoting cell growth and adhesion, still maintaining a solid conductivity.

iv. Fashion application of 4D printing

4D printing is a manufacturing product that can be used in fashion design that does much more than change the size. Call down a button, make the design simple, and work with the naked eye. With 4D printing, designers can program these items to change colors or adopt completely new patterns. 4D printing can also change the look of fashion. The self-assembly printing lab at MIT is studying the potential applications of 4D technology. One of the ideas is that clothing can vary according to the weather or activity. For example, shoes can change their shape when you start running for better comfort and shock absorption.

Fashion designers and studios are bringing new visions to life with 4D printing. In Massachusetts, for example, the nervous system has created jewelry and clothing, including blocked joints. This allows the pieces to be removed from the printer once and placed on the model - automatically resizing so that the piece fits better with any body shape form as a result.