| Popis: |
Over the past decade, significant efforts have been devoted to the 3D printing (3DP) technologies capable of fabricating complex objects from biomaterials and cellular species. However, to date, most of the 3D-printed biomedical structures are static and inanimate objects that permanently maintain their original as-printed shape. Incorporating different stimuli-responsive biomaterials into advanced 3DP methodologies and integrating an additional dimension of time, 4D printing (4DP) is considered a future technology to produce transformable objects, sufficiently addressing the dynamic healing and regeneration process of human tissues. In other words, 4DP represents one of the most advanced fabrication methods for future applications in tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and soft robotics, among others. In this chapter, the concept of 4D bioprinting and smart materials are discussed. In addition, the current and potential applications of 4D-bioprinted materials are introduced in diverse aspects of the biomedical field, e.g., tissue engineering, drug delivery, and sensors. Finally, the current restrictions of 4D-bioprinted materials and their future perspective are presented. |
