#3D Printing Polymer Material

[mindblowingscience]

Imagine if physicians could capture three-dimensional projections of medical scans, suspending them inside an acrylic cube to create a hand-held reproduction of a patient's heart, brain, kidneys, or other organs. Then, when the visit is done, a quick blast of heat erases the projection and the cube is ready for the next scan. A report in the journal Chem by researchers at Dartmouth and Southern Methodist University (SMU) outlines a technical breakthrough that could enable such scenarios, and others with widespread utility.

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[materialsscienceandengineering]

Flaps perform essential jobs. From pumping hearts to revving engines, flaps help fluid flow in one direction. Without them, keeping liquids going in the right direction is challenging to do. Researchers from the University of Washington have discovered a new way to help liquid flow in only one direction -- but without flaps. In a paper published Sept. 24 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they report that a flexible pipe -- with an interior helical structure inspired by shark intestines -- can keep fluid flowing in one direction without the flaps that engines and anatomy rely upon. Human intestines are essentially a hollow tube. But for sharks and rays, their intestines feature a network of spirals surrounding an interior passageway. In a 2021 publication, a different team proposed that this unique structure promoted one-way flow of fluids -- also known as flow asymmetry -- through the digestive tracts of sharks and rays without flaps or other aids to prevent backup. That claim caught the attention of UW postdoctoral researcher Ido Levin, lead author on the new paper.

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[nuadox]

Engineers develop affordable 3D printing method for customizable, recyclable soft plastics

- By Nuadox Crew -

Princeton engineers, led by Emily Davidson, have developed a scalable 3D printing method to create soft plastics with customizable stiffness, flexibility, recyclability, and affordability.

These materials, made from thermoplastic elastomers, leverage nanoscale block copolymer structures to allow precise control over mechanical properties, enabling stiffness in one direction and stretchiness in others.

The team’s process involves thermal annealing to enhance material properties, self-healing, and reusability. This approach, costing about $0.01 per gram, contrasts with expensive alternatives like liquid crystal elastomers. Applications range from soft robotics and medical devices to helmets and customized shoe soles.

The method can incorporate functional additives, such as molecules for UV-induced fluorescence, and create complex structures like flexible vases. The next steps involve exploring designs for wearable electronics and biomedical devices.

Video: "Stretchable, Flexible, Recyclable. This Plastic Is Fantastic" via SciTech Daily, YouTube.

Header image: Engineers can manipulate the material's internal structure to produce objects with various properties. Credit: Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy.

Read more at Princeton Engineering

Scientific paper: Alice S. Fergerson et al, Reprocessable and Mechanically Tailored Soft Architectures Through 3D Printing of Elastomeric Block Copolymers, Advanced Functional Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202411812

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[chemicalmarketwatch-sp]

Medical Polymer Market Outlook: Trends, Innovations, and Global Dynamics

The medical polymer market has become a pivotal sector, growing due to advancements in healthcare materials. Known for durability, flexibility, and biocompatibility, these polymers are essential across devices, surgical instruments, implants, packaging, and drug delivery systems. The rise in demand reflects industry trends, technological breakthroughs, and growing regulatory standards shaping this market.

The global medical polymer market is valued at USD 41.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 60.5 billion by 2029, growing at 8.0% cagr from 2024 to 2029.

Key Market Trends

Biocompatibility Innovations: Biocompatible materials are essential in medical applications where patient safety is paramount. To meet this need, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polyethylene polymers are engineered to strict medical standards, creating materials that offer safe, effective performance within the body.

Surge in Disposable Devices: Single-use medical products like gloves, syringes, and catheters are gaining traction, especially post-pandemic. Disposable polymers allow manufacturers to produce cost-effective, hygienic products, addressing modern healthcare’s need for cleanliness and infection control.

3D Printing Advancements: Customization has transformed through 3D printing, as tailored prosthetics and surgical tools become accessible. Polymers like PEEK are favored here for strength and adaptability, enabling precise medical solutions suited to individual patient needs.

Sustainability Drives: With heightened environmental awareness, medical manufacturers are focusing on bio-based and recyclable materials. This shift aims to reduce the ecological impact of medical products, reflecting the global push towards sustainable solutions.

Enhanced Drug Delivery Applications: Drug delivery systems require polymers that ensure controlled, sustained release of medication. Bioresorbable polymers are particularly beneficial here, facilitating targeted treatment in chronic and long-term therapies without additional interventions.

Growth Drivers in the Medical Polymer Market

Demand for Minimally Invasive Devices: Polymers are ideal for minimally invasive surgery tools due to their flexibility and durability. As demand for less invasive procedures grows, so does the need for these high-performing materials, making them integral to medical advancements.

Aging Population and Chronic Disease: The global increase in chronic health conditions and an aging population drive demand for medical-grade polymers in implants, devices, and products for ongoing care. This market growth reflects the need for durable, biocompatible materials to improve patient care.

R&D and Technological Investments: Innovations in polymer chemistry and healthcare applications expand the versatility of these materials. Significant R&D investment is pushing the boundaries, enabling entry into new applications and meeting stringent regulatory demands across regions.

Regional Market Insights

The market for medical polymers is expanding globally, with strong growth in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. North America leads due to its advanced healthcare sector and robust R&D focus, while the Asia-Pacific region experiences rapid growth driven by healthcare expansion, population increases, and rising disposable incomes in emerging economies like China and India.

Emerging markets hold considerable growth potential, especially as they build their healthcare infrastructure and address increasing medical needs. Access to quality polymers helps these regions expand their healthcare capabilities, catering to larger populations with advancing healthcare needs.

Challenges and Future Prospects

The medical polymer market faces challenges, such as meeting rigorous regulatory requirements, managing high development costs, and addressing environmental concerns. Compliance with medical standards is necessary but can slow down product development and increase expenses. Additionally, the medical industry’s reliance on single-use polymers prompts a need for eco-friendly, recyclable solutions.

To know more Download PDF Brochure : 

The future remains promising. The market’s growth, driven by healthcare demands and technological advances, opens new opportunities in medical material innovation. Companies prioritizing sustainability, compliance, and R&D will be well-positioned to capitalize on the evolving needs of this essential industry.

As materials science and healthcare continue to intersect, medical polymers are set to play a critical role in advancing medical technologies, improving patient outcomes, and meeting global healthcare needs.

[diccorporation]

Advanced 3D Printing Polymer Materials: Unlocking New Possibilities

3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing across numerous industries, allowing for the creation of complex structures and highly customized products. One key element driving this innovation is 3D printing polymer materials, which offer versatility, strength, and adaptability to meet the demands of various applications.

Types of 3D Printing Polymer Materials

There are several 3D printing polymer materials available today, each catering to specific needs and industries. The most common types include:

PLA (Polylactic Acid): PLA is one of the most popular choices due to its ease of use and biodegradability. It is derived from renewable resources such as corn starch, making it an eco-friendly option for prototypes, consumer goods, and educational tools. PLA is known for its high printability and smooth surface finish.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): ABS is a durable material with excellent impact resistance and toughness. It is widely used in industries such as automotive and electronics due to its ability to withstand high temperatures and mechanical stress. However, ABS requires a heated print bed for optimal results and can emit fumes during the printing process.

Nylon: Known for its flexibility and strength, nylon is ideal for functional parts and mechanical components. It has excellent wear resistance and can handle repeated use, making it a favorite in industries like engineering and aerospace. Nylon’s slightly porous nature can absorb moisture from the air, so proper storage is necessary to maintain its quality.

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): PETG offers a balance between PLA and ABS, combining strength, flexibility, and ease of printing. It is highly resistant to impact and moisture, making it a good choice for products that need to endure harsh environments. PETG is commonly used for food-safe containers and medical devices.

Applications of 3D Printing Polymers

3D printing polymer materials have found applications in a wide range of industries. In healthcare, custom medical devices, prosthetics, and implants are created using biocompatible polymers. The aerospace and automotive sectors use polymers for lightweight yet durable components that reduce overall weight while maintaining strength.

In consumer goods, polymer materials enable the production of fashion accessories, home décor items, and even footwear. Additionally, the education sector has embraced 3D printing polymers to teach students about design, engineering, and manufacturing.

Future of 3D Printing Polymer Materials

As technology evolves, so does the development of 3D printing polymer materials. New materials with improved strength, flexibility, and sustainability are constantly emerging. This progress paves the way for even more innovative applications, from advanced medical solutions to cutting-edge automotive designs.

In conclusion, 3D printing polymer materials continue to expand the possibilities of additive manufacturing, making it accessible for various industries while offering a range of material properties that cater to diverse needs.

[materiallugy]

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D printing, is a transformative approach to industrial production that is making lighter, stronger parts and systems a possibility.

This article will delve in the concept of additive manufacturing, its types, and the materials used in additive manufacturing.

What is the additive manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing is processes used to create a three-dimensional object by laying down successive layers of material under the control of a computer. Objects created can be of almost any shape or geometry and are created from digital model data. It is intended to construct a part from scratch but raw material, using digital data coming from a CAD file.

The familiar term of additive manufacturing is 3D printing. This is a popular type of additive manufacturing.

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

Ceramic Substrates Market Will Reach USD 11,740.8 Million By 2030

In 2023, the ceramic substrates market was valued at USD 7,721.3 million. Forecasts indicate it will grow significantly, reaching USD 11,740.8 million by 2030, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% between 2024 and 2030. This growth of the industry can be credited to the increasing need for such materials in many sectors and the trend of the reduction of electronic…

[import--math--geek--math-rand]

I have a thermoplastic based ask for science side of Tumblr: do you know of thermoplastics that stick to pla and print at similar temperatures but have a higher glass transition point because I want to make the case for pla filament coextruded with another polymer to prevent warping while annealing pla, as annealed pla yields stronger and more temperature resistant parts.

[reasonsforhope]

"At the University of Maine, one of the world’s largest 3D printers is using sawdust from the state’s lumber industry to 3D print cozy wooden cabins.

It’s part of a move towards making 3D printing faster and more sustainable in a state where the housing shortage that has metastasized in most states around the country is dire.

It’s thought that 80,000 new homes will be needed over the next 5 years to keep pace with demand, and though it takes years for building codes to be changed, the technicians at the Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC) at the Univ. of Maine hope their new toy can help address this need.

Guinness World Records certified the machine at ASCC as the world’s largest prototype polymer 3D printer, capable of creating a 600 square foot house 96 feet in length, 36 feet in width, and 18 feet tall entirely out of bio-based material at a rate of 500 pounds per hour.

In 2022, it could print the walls, floors, and roof of the house in just 96 hours, but the ACSS has been refining the design with the hope of doubling the printing speed and getting it down to a 48-hour timeline.

“When they’re doing concrete, they’re only printing the walls,” Habib Dagher, the executive director of ACSS told CNN. “The approach we’ve taken is quite different from what you’ve seen, and you’ve been reading about for years.”

Indeed, GNN has reported on a fair number of 3D printing projects, but most if not all involve printing only the walls. One fantastical exception is an Italian firm that is 3D-printing domed, beehive-like, modular concept homes inspired by the Great Enclosure in Zimbabwe.

STAND-OUT 3D-PRINTING PROJECTS: 

First 2-Story Home to be 3D Printed in the U.S. Reaches for the Sky in Texas 

The World’s Largest 3D Printed Building is a Horse Barn That Can Endure Florida Hurricanes

This 23-Year-Old Founder is 3D Printing Schools in Madagascar Aiming to be a ‘Stepping Stone’ for the Community

A Startup Is Using Recycled Plastic to 3D Print Tiny $25,000 Prefabricated Homes in LA

The ASCC is calling the house design the BioHome3D, and says it’s rare people who tour the concept version don’t ask when they “can have one up?”

The interior gives the feel of a modern Scandinavian wooden cabin, making it fit well with the Maine aesthetic. The ASCC is now doing work on how to incorporate conduits for wiring and plumbing “exactly where an architect would want them,” says Dagher.

WATCH a time-lapse video of the printer doing the job…

-via Good News Network, August 16, 2024. Video via The University of Maine, March 3, 2023.

[madisockz]

Hello! I wanted to share my process of how I made my Easter Pony! She is my second ever custom and she made all the trouble I had with the first one seem like a walk in the park in comparison ಥ_ಥ Let's begin!

DISCLAIMER: Custom ponies like this one are not to be played with by children nor made by children. This pony was made with the use of nail polish remover (acetone) which is toxic. You need to wash your hands throughly after use and use in a well ventilated area. This pony was also made with sharp tools such as an xacto knife, sewing pins, rehairing needles, and an awl.

First, the concept art! Trial and error caused her to look a little different than the concept art but I still love the end result!

I wanted to start with a white base to give myself a clean canvas for dyeing so I got this G3 Breezie off Ebay for only $3. I decided to first remove her mane and tail which requires removing the head. If you know anything about G3 pony customzing, you know their heads are difficult to get back on once they come off. Even when you run them under warm/hot water. So to get it back on for dyeing, I tried trimming a little excess of vinyl off the neck ring with my xacto knife. It slipped and got me right under my nail! Bad omen for what's to come!

After getting her prepped (removing her mane and tail, cleaning her, using acetone (nail polish remover) to remove her cutie mark) she was ready for a dye bath! I used Rit DyeMore as regular Rit Dye won't dye the vinyl material that ponies are made of. This was my first ever time dyeing anything that wasn't fabric so I was thrilled when she came out this warm rich brown! So pretty!

I read online that dyed ponies will leach dye onto other ponies if they touch, so I wanted to try and prevent this as much as possible with some matte sealer. Lesson #1: Even though she was dry, the matte sealer reactivated the dye! The smallest touch left a print! :(

I pushed forward! And tripped immediately after! I thought, "Surely matte Modge Podge will seal her just that much more" and to my dismay, the Modge Podge kept every brush stroke I made when it dried!! She looked like a leather hand bag! ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚ I learned later you can buy matte Modge Podge spray online but all I had was the type you brush on to your surface.

Thankfully, with the help of sixteen cotton balls and a q-tip with acetone, I managed to remove all the sealer but she was no longer that nice rich brown. Oh well I still loved her!

And whoever said the paint will protect the eyes from the dye has clearly never dyed a dark pony! Her eyes were so brown after this lol

Painting, adding of polymer clay easter themed confetti, and adding her 3D chocolate bunny cutie mark went great! It was all going well until the eyes.

I had never fully painted pony eyes before so the first attempt was pretty bad. Not even my multiple attempts at glitter and using clear nail polish as a cheap gloss on the eyes could save them.

It was so bad that I almost didn't take any pictures but when I went to seal her head, this weird white powder covered half of her face?? I had never seen this before and it freaked me out thinking I just ruined her. I managed to get it off with a cotton ball and some acetone but her paint was fully damaged.

Turns out this was caused because I didn't shake the can of sealer well enough. I needed a break....

While I took a break for a few days, I decided to watch tutorials on how to paint doll eyes and learned that it's actually pretty common to use high quality watercolor pencils; either Faber Castell or Derwent (which is what I ended up buying).

When I came back, I made the hard decision of removing all the paint and decorations from the head and starting over. Hours of work gone but it was so worth it! 🩷 Removing the paint with acetone ended up making her head lighter than her body so I had to redye her head lol. This time I mixed Derwent pencils with acrylic paints for her eyes.

Time for the hair! I've never done curls before and my original plan was to buy curly hair online but it's so hard to find in the color and curl size I wanted.

So my second idea was to buy small curlers to use on regular nylon doll hair bought from ShimmerLocks on Etsy. But when I tested them out on poor Flower Bouquet it looked so bad ಥ_ಥ

I discovered a Youtube channel you may know called Dollightful where in one of her Stock Box videos she used yarn that she unraveled to make super cute tight wavy hair for a doll. It was a perfect solution! It looks so good but omg it was tedious haha! I used it for her tail too; sectioning off the colors hoping they'd stay separated (they didn't lol).

She's nearly complete! Time for small decorations! I tried so many different ears from air dry clay to stealing some from bunny decorations I bought at the store and nothing was working! But I had one last idea...

I gave these old Littlest Pet Shop costume bunny ears some use with a flat top sewing pin and some glue so now my pony has bunny ears! Yay!

I forgot it in the concept art, but I originally wanted to add flowers to her mane but I couldn't figure out how to do that without glue which I didn't want to do, too permanent, so I opted for some beads I had on hand. I didn't have any light blue so I made some with the use of acetone (nail polish remover in my case) and boom! Light blue beads! Then I washed them off so the acetone wouldn't damage anything :)

I used a gold topped sewing pin, a butterfly charm, a felt flower and two faux flowers to create a cute hair accessory!

Finally I sewed a hair tie to a puffball to give her a removable cottontail if I ever wanted to take it off.

And DONE! She looks so good after so much time and effort! I worked on this girly for two weeks I think? She actually had a partner I designed but I've run out of time to make her :') Maybe next year? 👀 🩷🩷

[bat-soup]

Hi! I'm learning to model at the moment and your fursona models look amazing!✨ what material do you use? and how do you get them so smooth??

I am actually 3d printing them using a resin printer using designs I made on blender. x3 BUT! I will give you tips bc I have experience in the modelling world of traditional materials. Air-dry clay is very sandable after drying/curing, but the rule of thumb is to get it as smooth as possible before sanding, but don't discredit the ability of sandpaper to help out. Polymer clay is very hard to sand, but you can help smooth it with various materials (people have mentioned baby oil, alcohol, acetone... results may vary), you want to wet-sand polymer clay after curing! I made my smoothest model by making a wax figure using Monster Clay, which is nonhardening clay made out of wax. it was the easiest to smooth with just a sponge and a brush. and then I made a mold and cast it in resin for sanding.

You can also make an incredibly smooth model out of stoneware clay fired in a kiln, but it comes with its other limitations like it being quite breakable and heavy, and there are working time limits. plus you have to rent or buy a kiln :3 I wanted to make several figurines like this but the mold and cast method would have been extremely expensive!! I think you can make fantastic one-of-a-kind figures with other forms of clay but I also wanted to put a priority on quality and durability!

[mindblowingscience]

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new type of material that could offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to clean pollutants from water. Dubbed an "engineered living material," it is a 3D-printed structure made of a seaweed-based polymer combined with bacteria that have been genetically engineered to produce an enzyme that transforms various organic pollutants into benign molecules. The bacteria were also engineered to self-destruct in the presence of a molecule called theophylline, which is often found in tea and chocolate. This offers a way to eliminate them after they have done their job. The researchers describe the new decontaminating material in a paper published in Nature Communications.

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[materialsscienceandengineering]

Semiconductor-free logic gates pave the way for fully 3D-printed active electronics

Active electronics—components that can control electrical signals—usually contain semiconductor devices that receive, store, and process information. These components, which must be made in a clean room, require advanced fabrication technology that is not widely available outside a few specialized manufacturing centers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of widespread semiconductor fabrication facilities was one cause of a worldwide electronics shortage, which drove up costs for consumers and had implications in everything from economic growth to national defense. The ability to 3D print an entire, active electronic device without the need for semiconductors could bring electronics fabrication to businesses, labs, and homes across the globe.

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[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Nanoink and printing technologies could enable electronics repairs, production in space

An Iowa State University engineer floats in the air while other researchers hang tight to a metal frame surrounding and supporting their special printer. It's not the usual photo you see in a research paper. Tests aboard microgravity flights aren't your typical materials experiments, either.

The flight path to these experiments began when a research team led by Iowa State's Shan Jiang, an associate professor of materials science and engineering, and Hantang Qin, formerly of Iowa State who's now an assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, wondered if their ink and printer technologies would work in the zero gravity of space.

The ink features silver nanoparticles synthesized with biobased polymers. After heat treatment, the ink can conduct electricity and can therefore print electric circuits. The printer uses electrohydrodynamic printing, or 3D printing that jets ink under an electric field at resolutions of millionths of a meter. The electric field could eliminate the need for gravity to help deposit ink.

If the technologies work together in zero gravity, astronauts could use them to make electric circuits for spacecraft or equipment repairs. And astronauts might manufacture high-value electronic components in the special, zero-gravity environment of space.

NASA wondered if it would work, too.

Diving into microgravity

Researchers bolted the printer to the floor of a jet and prepared for a "roller coaster, basically," Jiang said.

The NASA plane would continuously climb and dive, going in cycles from about 24,000 feet over Florida to 32,000 feet, then back to 24,000. The dive phase produced about 10 seconds of pure zero gravity.

"It was exciting and new," Jiang said.

Motion sickness was a problem for some. Others enjoyed the thrill of it. Jiang felt "frozen" the first time he experienced microgravity. "I was blank."

But that didn't last. "There was so much time and investment in this project. We wanted to achieve good results."

But printing for a few seconds at a time on a microgravity flight "is a very challenging experiment," Jiang said. "It's so easy on the ground where everything is stable. But if anything gets loose during the flight, you lose your printing."

The first microgravity flight was a good example. The printer wasn't adequately secured against the plane's shakes and vibrations.

"These are very intense experiments that require a lot of teamwork and preparation," Jiang said.

So, the team went back to work, made some changes, made more test flights and produced better results.

"This proof-of-concept microgravity experiment proves the unique capability of (electrohydrodynamic) printing under zero-gravity conditions and opens a new venue for future on-demand manufacturing in space," the researchers wrote in a paper published in Applied Materials & Interfaces.

Making a new nanoink

The key innovation by Jiang's research group was developing a new laboratory method to synthesize the ink with its silver nanoparticles.

"This is a new combination of materials and so we needed a new recipe to make the ink," Jiang said.

Both programs "strive to support innovative and leading research in Iowa," said Sara Nelson, director of the programs and an Iowa State adjunct assistant professor of aerospace engineering. "We are thrilled to have supported Dr. Jiang's research. His work has helped to build Iowa's research infrastructure and is an important part of NASA's strategic mission."

The project also makes use of an abundant Iowa resource, plant biomass.

The ink includes a biobased polymer called 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, which is typically used as a thickening agent. But it is also a cost-effective, biocompatible, versatile and stable material for the inks necessary for high-resolution ink jet printing under an electric field.

"There is a lot of biomass in Iowa," Jiang said. "So, we're always trying to use these biobased molecules. They make a wonderful polymer that does all the tricks for us."

Jiang called that "the biggest surprise of this research. We didn't know that before. Now we know what we can do with these biobased polymers."

The Iowa State University Research Foundation has filed a patent on the new nanoink and the technology is currently available for licensing.

"This success is really just the beginning," Jiang said. "As humanity ventures deeper into space, the need for on-demand manufacturing of electronics in orbit is no longer science fiction; it is a necessity."

Next up for the researchers could be the development of 3D space printing for other electronic components such as semiconductors.

After all, Jiang said, "You can't just make one component and assemble an electronic device."

TOP IMAGE: Researchers—as well as a toy Cy the Cyclone—test their nanoink and printer technologies during a NASA microgravity flight. Pictured, left to right, are: Fei Liu, Yanhua Huang, Matthew Marander, Xuepeng Jiang and Pavithra Premaratne. Credit: Shan Jiang

LOWER IMAGE: Credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07592

[roboticsappreciationsociety]

by Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

Researchers at The University of Queensland (UQ) are developing new 4D printing technology that produces shape-shifting liquid metals for soft robotics.

4D printing is an extension of 3D printing, where solid objects are created using materials that can change shape when exposed to certain stimuli like heat, water or light.

At UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), researchers are printing 4D structures using new liquid metal polymers that can be coaxed into performing a range of mechanical tasks with infrared lasers.

Lead researchers Dr. Liwen Zhang and Dr. Ruirui Qiao said the unique preparation methods developed by their lab allow them to produce 4D designs that are solid and durable while also being able to bend, grasp, lift, and release items five times their weight, or revert to a pre-programmed shape.

"4D printing takes traditional 3D printing and adds a new dimension—the dimension of time," Dr. Zhang said. "Our method allows us to produce smart liquid metals that can be customized, shaped and prompted to change over time without needing wires or circuits.

"This is a new era for robotics applications and a game-changer for additive manufacturing."

4D printed objects are usually prepared with a 3D printer using specific ingredients that give the finished product new qualities and abilities.