Chapter 1

Is 4D Printing Disruptive or Incremental, or a Bit of Both?

First published: 26 August 2022

Summary

This chapter separates intelligent and/or stimulable materials from the 4D printing that uses them. In a prospective approach where it is the uncertain that is explored, generally over longer periods than those associated with European or national plans, there is the possibility of being a little original, without any major constraint apart from motivation and conviction, which makes it possible, faced with multiple and undetermined futures, to question the comfort of the mind, to try to awaken consciences that have fallen asleep on false or old certainties. The modeling of geometries, the determination of interactions at different scales for the states of change of shape and the calculation of energy must be undertaken. For professionals in the field, what has been envisioned is that 4D printing can fundamentally change the design and manufacture of objects through combination/association with other digital capabilities.

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