Molecular self-assembly, whereby molecules position themselves into defined arrangements, is commonplace in biological systems and nanotechnology. But researchers at MIT are working on so called "4D printing" technology that aims to bring the process up to the macro scale, enabling 3D-printed materials to be programmed to self-assemble into predefined shapes and structures. 

This month, Skylar Tibbits, director of the MIT Self-Assembly lab, was named as one of the six Architectural League winners for collaborative research into programmable materials. The 4D printing process (with the 4th dimension being self-assembly over time) involves the use of materials that change their shape in response to movement or environmental factors, such as the presence of water, air, and/or temperature changes.

Tibbits believes the technology has the potential to revolutionize a wide variety of fields, including "biology, material science, software, robotics, manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure, construction, the arts, and even space exploration." As an example, NASA and other space agencies could reduce their costs by simply sending the parts into space, and then those parts self-assemble into an object at the desired location.

To apply 4D printing at the macro scale, you would need to combine the right materials and geometry with a tightly coupled energy source, while designing the material interactions that allow it to transform. For the design process, the Self-Assembly Lab team use new Autodesk software called Project Cyborg, which allows them to simulate how and when the various components fold at both a nano and macro scale.

4D printing is certainly exciting, but there’s still plenty of potential in 3D printing as well. For instance, we’re going to see 3D printed buildings far before we see self-assembled 4D printed buildings.

Still, the two technologies will work hand-in-hand to create some undoubtedly amazing things in the future.

 
Watch Tibbits' presentation on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0gMCZFHv9v8 

Sources: http://www.webpronews.com/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-4d-printing-2013-05; http://www.gizmag.com/4d-printing-self-assembly/27734/