as the technologies in 3D printing progress over time, new scientific breakthroughs leading to the discoveries of organs printed from regenerative cells and bio-engineered body parts will become a thing of the past. seeing the potential in self-assembling forms, MIT researcher skylar tibbits and team from minneapolis-based stratasys have worked together to develop a method of 4D printing programmable entities that self-actuate on their own - much the way a strand of DNA zips itself together. the new rapid-protoyping technique entails multi-material prints with the added capability of embedding transformative information from one shape to another.

instead of printing out a complete object, the 4D method creates a long string of multiple materials - which then fold and convert into various shapes when placed in water, activating the morphing process. engineered with different properties at the particle level within the 3D geometry - software allows for simulated self-assemblies, optimizing design constraints and joint folding. it is the idea that this technology can be implemented not only into small-scale projects, but used in the future construction of architectural projects such as skyscrapers, buildings or even housing on the moon.

4D printing: cube self-folding strand
video courtesy skylar tibbits

4D printed cubes

4D printing: MIT self-folding strand
video courtesy skylar tibbits

self-folding sheets: hyperbolic paraboloid
video courtesy skylar tibbits