Progress in 4D printing technology

Compared with traditional additive manufacturing technology (3D printing), 4D printing technology (four-dimensional printing) increases the time dimension. The structure prepared by 4D printing process can change its shape and configuration with the external environment (i.e. light, heat, magnetism, electricity, etc.), which has a broad application prospect. This paper introduces several typical implementation methods of 4D printing in combination with the typical research results of 4D printing in recent years. The printing materials, design methods, and simulation methods of current 4D printing technology are summarized. Finally, the possible development directions of 4D printing technology and its application prospects in the fields of biomedicine, soft robotics, aerospace, etc. are introduced, and some problems of 4D printing technology are discussed.