4D Printing, Volume 2

AppendixPIA4 PEPR – Programme et Equipements Prioritaires de Recherche Exploratoire – French Priority Research Program and Equipment Proposals of the Authors (2021) on the Theme: “Research, Innovation and Industrial Developments Concerning 4D Printing”

We need “a process of knowledge production that is open to epistemic diversity. It is a process that does not necessarily abandon the notion of universal knowledge for humanity, but embraces it via a horizontal strategy of openness to dialogue between different epistemic traditions”. (Mbembe 2016)

A.1. Elements of context

Born in 1984 from a French patent issued by a CNRS research lab, additive manufacturing has developed spectacular performances over the last three decades: the complexity of objects is now (almost) free in terms of manufacturing, and the material is used for the right purpose with lightweight objects exhibiting similar mechanical performances, thus minimizing the environmental impact. The current world market is worth around 30 billion euros with an increase of 20% per year (but with a modest French presence). This digital technology is one of the pillars of Industry 4.0.

In 2013, in the United States, a disruptive approach emerged, aimed at using active matter in the additive manufacturing of objects. Thus, 4D printing enables, in principle, the production of objects capable of changing shape, property, functionality under the effect of a simulation (magnetic and/or electric fields, temperature, pH, humidity, ...