What is 4D Printing? - the next step for the development of 3D printers

For several years, we have witnessed the dynamic development of the technology  of 3D printing . We admire the fruits begotten thanks to her. This technique has great potential and could revolutionize the entire mechanics, medicine, space exploration and many other fields. And although it seems that we are still at the beginning of this road,  scientists  already are wondering what will happen next. And what will happen? Well, 4D Printing, naturally.

4D printing, or ... what?

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional printing no longer need to explain to anyone unless - in the first case we are dealing with a flat image, the second: with the spatial structure. So how can you go beyond these limits, in other words: So what is the printing technique 4D?

In print 4D fourth dimension is time. The effect of a printer is not a specific subject, but the band material, which later was formed in such a way as to turn into a predetermined object (shape).

Quoting New Scienctis:  "4D printing technique consists of printing objects in 3D, which then change their shape over time, and may move in a manner that mimics the natural processes" . Usage? It should be mentioned first of all three areas: construction,  medicine  and  space exploration .

How it's working?

All components needed to complete the final object are created using a 3D printer. Items are designed in such a way to fit as many elements in the smallest space. To do this, scientists use their knowledge, among other things,  the curve Hilbert . Thanks to this fact impossible to create a large object in a small printer, and this is one of the biggest advantages of this technique.

The printed intermediate objects have selected all the fold - upon exposure to water moving parts bend and twist to form the final construction. 

Another vision 4D Printing

Jennifer Lewis of Harvard University wants to simplify the process. -  "We decided to take a cue from nature and we looked at the complex shapes in the modified natural architectures, such as flowers."

The team led by z Lewis tried to emulate the characteristics of plant cells that contain cellulose fibers governing the extent of their movement. Researchers admixed such fibers (wood pulp) with a polyacrylamide hydrogel - gelatinous substance expanding in water. As a result, an item printed using a 3D printer with the addition of this mixture can only get longer, but do not grow on the sides.

The team of researchers also developed a mathematical model, which makes it possible to print objects with different types of folds, and even curved shapes. -  "We can program the bending, twisting, wrinkling"  - says Lewis.

To test their technique, a team of scientists has printed two flowers, which on the surface look the same, but under the influence of water develop in different ways. They tried to faithfully reproduce the specificity of orchids. The results - as most satisfactory. 

Anyway, see for yourself in the video published on the Harvard channel on YouTube:

What's next?

It is hard to predict exactly what will aim towards the development of 4D technology. However, you can take it for granted that this development shall be advanced. But we know what plans has a team of researchers from Harvard Unwiersytetu.

The team would like to use its technology in tissue engineering. An attempt will be to supplement the structure of living cells and ultimately breed new bodies. If it succeeds, we may be witnessing another revolution in medicine, this time in transplantation. It remains perhaps therefore no longer just keep our fingers crossed. 

And why am I writing about? A no because I can not hide that when printing in 4D will be used largely possibilities of 3D printers which again expands the possibilities of our company or The GCC Group

Source: New Scientist, Harvard University, SJET, TED, Self-Assembly Lab, Discovery News