8 Processing of smart materials by additive manufacturing and 4D printing

Abstract

Four-dimensional (4D) printing has garnered considerable attention and generated substantial interest since its inception, with time being incorporated as the fourth dimension. Although this technique is primarily dependent on 3D printing, it enables the transformation of printed objects from static entities into dynamic ones, allowing for alterations in size, shape, properties, and functionality to facilitate the creation of intricate structures. The dynamic feature has many applications in tissue engineering, medication delivery, soft robots, and other areas where standard production procedures have constraints. Incorporating different additives or using specialized printing methods, additive manufacturing can produce smart materials with desired features such as self-healing or the ability to respond to external stimuli. This article aims to provide a detailed review of smart material structures, an overview of the concepts and advancements in 4D printing, and explore various manufacturing methods that have been developed to achieve 4D printing capabilities and recent developments in the field.