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Laser-assisted 4D printing could open new avenues in science and technology

Feb 28,2023

3D printing, in which 3D structures are created layer by layer, has significantly influenced many branches of technology and industry, from pharmacology to electronics. This technique is widely used because it can significantly reduce the time required to create a product without compromising its quality.
4D printing takes this to the next level, where the resulting parts not only have a non-trivial 3D structure but after printing, change their shape or configuration over time.
¡°4D printing refers to 3D printing of responsive parts that can change their shapes or properties in a programmed way under external stimulations, such as humidity, light, heat, electric fields, magnetic fields, and so on,¡± said Wenzheng Wu, a professor at Jilin University in China.
¡°This technique is a novel manufacturing technology, which can save process time, energy and materials,¡± said Luquan Ren, a professor at the same university. ¡°It can be used to repair equipment in the aerospace industry, such as damage to satellite parts or space stations. Generally, the damage of parts is random, and the size and shape are irregular and not uniform, which often increases the risk of satellite malfunction. This method can be employed to control the shape transformation of the parts, which can therefore be used in space.¡±
However, these new features bring new manufacturing challenges. So far, the only materials used for 4D printing have been polymers ¡ª substances made up of large molecules composed of many repeating subunits ¡ª and special shape-memory alloys that deform when cooled but return to their original shape when heated.
¡°4D printing is currently limited to these two types of materials, which limits its applications,¡± explained Guiwei Li, a doctor at Jilin University. ¡°Therefore, it is of great significance to break through the restrictions of materials for 4D printing.¡±
Under this background, The 13th Annual Civil Aircraft Industry International Forum 2023 will be held in Chengdu City,Sichuan Province in April 25th-26th,2023.This forum aims to face the current severe international situation and the development challenges of the 14th Five-Year Plan and Vision 2035, mobilize all parties in the industry to work together, seize the opportunities and jointly promote the rapid development of China's civil aviation industry.

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