Do you believe it: 4D printing can make the prints "live"

Release date: 2015-02-27

When 3D printing technology is less mysterious, a technology called 4D printing has jumped into our eyes. What magical place is there? It's a gimmick like MP3, MP4 and MP5, or a technology that can really bring us new feelings. Let's take a look at this legendary technology that allows prints to "live".

The so-called new 4D printing technology means that researchers can use it to print dynamic 3D structures that change over time. According to scientists, such 4D printing technology may one day be used in various fields, from medical implants to household appliances. Today's 3D printed materials are mainly derived from plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, and even some less commonly used materials such as chocolate and living cells. However, like a normal printer, the material is printed like ink for printing, but the difference is that 3D printing technology creates a 3D effect. “Now, this technology can be applied not only in industry, but also in less than 1,000 yuan for ordinary families,” said Dan Leviev, chief researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who told us, “You can print any Things, not just 2D paper, 3D technology opens up a window for you, offering you unlimited opportunities. 3D printing technology allows toys, home appliances and tools to be ordered online and assembled in our living room."

Now, 3D printing technology will be further improved. Levif and his colleagues have developed 4D printing technology based on 3D printing technology, and can change its shape after printing. “The most exciting part is the application discovery brought about by this work,” Levy said. “This is not just a cool project, but even many people’s lives will change.”

In the report, the researchers detailed how they used three different attributes to print 3D structures. One material is a rigid rigid plastic and the other is a water absorbent (the volume doubles when immersed in water). This beautifully designed absorbent material was developed by Stratasys, a 3D printing company in Minnesota. The researchers printed a square grid of about 15 inches (38 cm) on each side. When they dipped the mesh in the water, they found that the absorbent material could stretch and fold like a joint, with various shapes and complex geometries. For example, the researchers created a 3D model like the letter "MIT", which can be changed to the letter "SAL" when soaked in water.

“In the future, we can imagine that the application of this technology will be more extensive,” said Leviev. “Including some optimized devices that can adapt to temperature and improve function and comfort. Even some products that take care of children, such as humidity. Or the temperature responds accordingly. Future clothing and footwear can also respond accordingly through the environment."

In addition, 4D printed objects may be beneficial to the invention of new medical implants. “Now, researchers are developing materials that can be implanted in our bodies without causing rejection,” Leviev told us. “We can now make some structural items that can change shape and function without external intervention. Such as a heart stent. It can be placed in the heart to help it heal faster."

Researchers are now also looking to create larger and smaller 4D prints. Currently, they have successfully printed objects a few centimeters in size, but for those implanted in the body, they also want to design them to be 10 to 100 times smaller than they are today. For household appliances, they want to be more than 10 times the size of the current.

The emergence of 4D printing will definitely open a new chapter in industrial history. Large machine tools and equipment may be replaced by 4D printers, and the products obtained can be large and small, and have strong adaptability. The reason why the industry is extremely excited.

Source: Bio Valley

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