4D Printing research could lead to shape changing dress materials

[NISHANTH]

SOURCE:http://www.thinkdigit.com/General/4D-Printing-research-could-lead-to-shape_20941.html

 

Scientists develop 4D printing technology that may lead to 'smart' shape changing materials.

 

 

The 3D printer already lets users print simple objects at home, but now researchers are now working on developing 4D printing, using “smart” materials that can change shape by themselves.

 

Researchers are developing 'Smart' materials by combining different types of plastics and fibers that can change shape by themselves when they come into contact with stimuli such as heat or water. This new technology that allows objects to be designed in this way so they can expand or fold into pre-designed forms after being printed, has been dubbed 4D printing.

Jesse Louis-Rosenberg, from Nervous System design studio in Somerville, Massachusetts, stated that he hoped to use the 4D printing technology to create a dress that could be printed in compact form then unfolded.

The technology will help you create a dress designed to fit perfectly by scanning the customers body. The dress would be created with a series of tessellating segments and a computer model would then compress the design into the smallest possible space to fit inside a 3D printer. The customer would just need to simply download the design, print it and unfurl it to have a ready dress at home.

Skylar Tibbits, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is leading the ground-breaking research with Stratasys, a digital manufacturing company in the 4D printing. "We asked if we could print things that change shape and change properties to behave in precise programmed ways. We call it 4D because it adds time [considered the fourth dimension], rather than printing static objects," Tibbits said.

 

http://vimeo.com/58840897

 

 

 

 

[Imabigmac]

okay now thats cool

[BonBon Scott]

A new thing for @Barnacules to be obsessed with.

[MegaDave91]

Time to start wearing dresses...

[Hidden Orange]

Huh, this reminds me of Batman's cape in Batman Begins.

 

And Octocamo from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

[ThatAngryGnome]

Aint that a bit too ahead of its time?

[tobben]

what is this fourth dimension they speak of.. are they printing in space/time?

 

 

Aint that a bit too ahead of its time?

what time? you mean now?, i thought this was the 21st century, i think you are severely underestimating our knowledge and capacity to understand the world, and the ability to apply that knowledge.

[Senor Potato]

We can't perceive 4d, there is no way that is truly "4D" it is just a name to get attention

[Tech_Dreamer]

Great new for girls!! :mellow: if you know what i mean! B)

[FranktheDinosaur]

Sooo TL:DR Things can move...amazing!  :blink: