4D printing is a growing technology for the fabrication of structures, parts, and equipment by using smart materials. The final product changes its properties, functions, and shape after the application of external stimuli such as heat, electricity, humidity, light, etc. In the recent past, 4D printing technology evolved significantly, especially in the field of medical applications, aerospace, manufacturing industries, energy generation, sensing technology, and soft matter engineering. As the world is becoming smart, there is a great desire to assist additive manufacturing technology with artificial intelligence, including machine learning or deep learning approaches. 4D printing is estimated to develop sustainable alternatives to contemporary devices in the field of biosensors, medical, energy harvesters and converters, etc.
This special issue invites manuscripts that focus on recent trends in sustainability aspects of four-dimensional Additive Manufacturing, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) methods, approaches, and strategies. In addition, the impact of Additive Manufacturing and 4D printing on the environment and sustainability. Moreover, we also invite the manuscript which focuses on to advancement of the theoretical and technical foundation for the industrial and commercial application of 4D printing technology.
Research papers, Case studies and Review papers will be considered in the following areas:
• Sustainability analysis of the 4D Additive Manufacturing Processes. Recycling and disposal of additive manufacturing printed parts and mitigation of the use of pollutants.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 4D Printing processes and Design for Sustainable Additive Manufacturing
• 4D printing applications in sustainable soft robotics, microfluidics, tissue engineering, artificial organ development, energy harvesters, renewable energies, self-healing structures, agricultural sectors, etc.
• Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) methods, approaches, and strategies. Topology and design optimization of Additive Manufacturing parts.
• Additive manufacturing, 4D printing, shape memory, sensors, smart structures, actuators, food printing, and materials. Technological advancement in the field such as materials, and the scale of printing.
• Recent advancements in the developments of additive manufacturing and responsive materials (Shape Memory Polymers, Magneto-/ Electro-Responsive Polymers (MERPs), silicone, elastomers, hydrogels), wearable electronics, metamaterials, modeling, analysis, and control of sustainable systems, etc. Also, to reduce the hostile effects of external stimuli.
• Integration of additive manufacturing with new technology such as IoT, artificial intelligence, machine learning or deep learning approaches, etc.
