4D printing

The latest innovation in the evolving 3D-printing industry is4D printing, which adds a fourth dimension: time. 4D printing usessmart materialsthat can change their shape over time. As flowers open during sunlight or close during rain, these materials respond to external stimuli like heat, light, pressure, and others by bending, twisting, shrinking, or expanding. While this technology is still in its early development stages, its application would be a game-changer in multiple industries including medicine, manufacturing, construction, and automotive. Innovations such as self-repairing infrastructure systems could revolutionize planning, as could flexible stormwater pipes that expand during extreme rain events and contract as needed.