ABSTRACT
Nearly three decades have passed since the invention of 3D printing technology. While the additive manufacturing industry advances new applications, materials, and 3D printers, another technology is gaining traction. It is called 4D printing, which is a futuristic technology. 4D printing is the process by which the structure of 3D-printed object changes in response to an external energy source such as heat, light, or other environmental stimuli. Consider applying 4D printing on a very small scale, for example, in sectors such as medicine. 4D-printed proteins may be an excellent application because they are self-configuring. Self-folding protein is another novel material on which researchers are currently working. Another possible application of 4D printing in medicine is in the design of sentinel organs. Stents could be programmed to travel through the human body and automatically open upon arrival. This chapter discusses the numerous health care applications of 4D printing technology.
