Intelligent material that can change Shapes with 4D Printing

Here is the first question what's the next ? We all know about the 3D printing with which a material can take the shape of any real world object, so that you can actually realize how will it be look like, But the new era of 4D printing is arriving soon and even already entered.

                                                     There is a The Little difference between the 3D printing and 4D printing and the difference is- In 3D printing after taking the shape of an object the material can’t change its shape but there is a difference at this particular point between 3D printing and 4D printing that the material can change its shape at the later stage in 4D printing.

This concept was originated in the great mind of Mr. Skylar Tibbits, an Architect and computer scientist of  MIT university. According to him this technology can really change the future, the concept is-

                                                   There is an programmable material which can reconfigure itself even after it gets the shape from the 3D Printer, there is no microprocessor, no electro- mechanical thing and even no circuit boards inside that but still with the help of the water it can be in any shape whatever you want, because it can use the energy it gets from water, sound or any other energy source and can use that energy to change its shape.

                                                   

4D printing pipes different shapes

                      The Experiments with prototypes

They are still testing it with various prototypes Like a self folding strand which can be folded inside water to deliver the message you want, and even they have gone one step further they have developed a programmable sheet material that can fold itself to make a cube. They are making more and more prototypes to make it possible at big scale in big constructions of buildings, bridges etc.

                                                     

4D printing self folding prototype

                                              

4D printing self folding sheet material prototype

                 The Possibilities with this Technology  

• We can have such water pipes in the future, which can supply water without the help of any type of motor just by changing their shape they can pump that water to our home.

• We can have such sofa sets  in the future which will be able to change its shape according to our need just with the help of water, just make it wet and enjoy the conversion. Thus we will have  a wide range of convertible furniture which can change its shape without the help of any human being.

• We can have such buildings that can change themselves according to our needs and in the case of the earthquake they can save us just because of their flexibility and even if they will be damaged they will repair themselves.

• We can have such cars also which can change their shapes to be fitted in a very small place.

• We can have bridges and even fly overs which will take care of themselves without the help of human being.