MIT 4D Printing Wood and Carbon Fiber

[Brian_Krassenstein]

Research scientists at MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab, headed by Skylar Tibbits, who has dual masters degrees in design computation and computer science, have developed a new process for programming and 3D printing raw materials for manufacturing. Tibbits refers to the new technique as “4D printing,” with time as the fourth dimension. Materials like carbon fiber and rubber are programed to behave, in a sense, like motorless, wireless, power source-less robots. When subjected over time to “passive energy sources,” the materials respond according to their respective functions and forms. More details on this incredible research can be found here: http://3dprint.com/19092/mit-self-assembly-4d-print/

Below are various materials, canvas, wood, plastic, and carbon fiber which has been '4D printed'

[bford903]

I'd love to see printed metal with these characteristics. My head is filling with ideas of morphing jewelry.