Pottery has been given a futuristic makeover. It’s now possible to 4D-print ceramics, which could be used to make strong, sophisticated parts in rockets and electronic devices.
4D-printing involves making 3D structures that can change their shape over time in response to stimuli like heat, light or elastic forces. The technique is useful for creating complex structures, but has mostly been limited to flexible materials like metals and plastics.
Now, Jian Lu at City University of Hong Kong and his colleagues have developed a way to make 4D-printed ceramics, which have the advantage of being extremely strong and temperature-resistant.…
