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Machines
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Advances in 4D Printing Technology
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Advances in 4D Printing Technology

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Manufacturing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 2767

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xueli Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education), Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
Interests: 4D printing; bio-inspired 4D printing; shape memory polymers; hydrogels; mechanical metamaterials
Prof. Dr. Qingping Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education), Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
Interests: 3D printing; additive manufacturing; biomimetic manufacturing; 4D ptintingprinting; hybrid additive manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The 4D printing technology enables printed objects to achieve predefined deformation and functional changes when subjected to external stimuli (e.g., temperature, humidity, light or electric field, etc.) through smart materials.

This technology not only possesses the advantages of 3D printing for the flexible manufacturing of complex structures but also gives printed objects the ability to respond dynamically, bringing innovative solutions to various fields.

Given the growing importance of 4D printing, this Special Issue aims to report the latest advances at the forefront of this promising technology. It welcomes not only original research articles that advance the knowledge of 4D printing but also encourages review articles that aim to present the state-of-the-art literature.

Possible topics include the following:

  • 4D printing；
  • Innovative application；
  • Soft robot；
  • 3D printing；
  • Multi-material 3D printing；
  • Shape Memory Polymers；
  • Shape Memory Alloys；
  • Hydrogel；
  • 4D printing of mechanical metamaterials.

Dr. Xueli Zhou
Prof. Dr. Qingping Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Machines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • 4D printing
  • innovative application
  • soft robot
  • 3D printing
  • multi-material 3D printing
  • shape memory polymers
  • shape memory alloys
  • hydrogel
  • 4D printing of mechanical metamaterials

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4964 KiB  
Article
NiTi Alloy Quasi-Zero Stiffness Vibration Isolation Structure with Adjustable Mechanical Properties
by Qian Wu, Jianxiang Qiao, Xinping Li, Shengsheng Wang, Bingqian Li, Siyang Wu, Zhenguo Wang and Jiangtao Ji
Machines 2025, 13(2), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13020092 - 24 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 556
Abstract
Despite the significant engineering applications of vibration isolation structures, there remain challenges in adjusting low-frequency isolation performance. To tackle this issue, this study proposes a temperature-controlled quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolation structure utilizing NiTi shape memory alloys. The stiffness and vibration isolation performance of [...] Read more.
Despite the significant engineering applications of vibration isolation structures, there remain challenges in adjusting low-frequency isolation performance. To tackle this issue, this study proposes a temperature-controlled quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolation structure utilizing NiTi shape memory alloys. The stiffness and vibration isolation performance of the structure can be adjusted by modifying the heat treatment process and temperature variations of the alloy. The vibration isolation system is composed of vertical and horizontal alloy beams, with structural mechanics analysis performed to develop both static and dynamic theoretical models. The study investigates the effects of the heat treatment process on the phase transition characteristics and mechanical properties of nickel-titanium alloys, and analyzes the correlation between the heat treatment parameters of alloy beams and the stiffness performance of vibration isolation structures. By applying temperature variations to the alloy beams, the stiffness and vibration isolation performance of the entire structure can be dynamically adjusted. This research provides theoretical guidance for achieving adjustable vibration isolation performance across low-frequency and wide ranges, offering promising prospects for the application of vibration isolation structures in dynamic environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in 4D Printing Technology)
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15 pages, 12393 KiB  
Article
Exploring Water-Induced Helical Deformation Mechanism of 4D Printed Biomimetic Actuator for Narrow Lumen
by Che Zhao, Lei Duan, Hongliang Hua and Jifeng Zhang
Machines 2025, 13(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13010031 - 6 Jan 2025
Viewed by 445
Abstract
To address the issues of limited adaptability and low spatial utilization in traditional rigid actuators, a biomimetic actuator with water-induced helical deformation functionality was designed. This actuator is capable of adaptive gripping and retrieval of objects in a narrow lumen. A numerical model [...] Read more.
To address the issues of limited adaptability and low spatial utilization in traditional rigid actuators, a biomimetic actuator with water-induced helical deformation functionality was designed. This actuator is capable of adaptive gripping and retrieval of objects in a narrow lumen. A numerical model was established to analyze its helical deformation mechanism, and the helical deformation characteristics of the actuator were calculated under different structural parameters. Based on four-dimensional (4D) printing technology, which integrates three-dimensional printed structures with responsive materials, experimental samples of biomimetic actuators were fabricated by combining thermoplastic polyurethane fiber scaffolds with water-absorbing polyurethane rubbers. By comparing the simulation results with the experimental data, the numerical model was corrected, providing theoretical guidance for the structural optimization design of the actuator. The experiment shows that the biomimetic actuator can act as a gripper to capture a small target in a lumen less than 5 mm in diameter. This research provides a theoretical and technical foundation for the development of specialized actuators aimed at narrow spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in 4D Printing Technology)
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11 pages, 3676 KiB  
Article
Bio-Inspired Sinusoidal Metamaterials: Design, 4D Printing, Energy-Absorbing Properties
by Jifeng Zhang, Siwei Meng, Baofeng Wang, Ying Xu, Guangfeng Shi and Xueli Zhou
Machines 2024, 12(11), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12110813 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1049
Abstract
Conventional energy-absorbing components have limited adjustability under complex working conditions. To overcome this limitation, we designed a bio-inspired sinusoidal metamaterial (BSM) inspired by the efficient energy-absorbing structure of the mantis shrimp jaw foot and 4D printed it based on shape-memory polymer (SMP). The [...] Read more.
Conventional energy-absorbing components have limited adjustability under complex working conditions. To overcome this limitation, we designed a bio-inspired sinusoidal metamaterial (BSM) inspired by the efficient energy-absorbing structure of the mantis shrimp jaw foot and 4D printed it based on shape-memory polymer (SMP). The effects of single-cell structural parameters and gradient design on its force–displacement curves and energy-absorbing properties were explored. Based on the shape memory effect of SMP, the BSM can obtain arbitrary temporary shapes under the combined effect of temperature and force, realizing locally controllable compression deformation and programmable mechanical properties of the BSM structure. This research has a broad application prospect in the field of energy absorption and energy management and provides new ideas for the design of smart structural materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in 4D Printing Technology)
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