4D Printing

Self-Assembly & Programmable Matter

Julie Dunbar

Road Map
Definitions
Programmable Matter
The Claytronics Project (Catoms)
The Self-Assembly Project
Biomolecular Self Assembly
Skylar Tibbits
4D Printing
Technologies Used
Future of 4D Printing
Discussion

Definitions
Taking a 3D printed object and
adding the ability of transformation by
embedding a program directly into the
materials themselves.
Self-Assembly a process by which disordered
parts build an ordered structure through
only local action.
Programmable Matter matter that has the
ability to change its physical properties in a
programmable fashion, based upon user
input or autonomous sensing.
4D Printing

Programmable Matter
High-volume nanoscale assembly.
Ability to inexpensively produce millimeter-

scale units that integrate computing,

sensing, actuation, and locomotion
mechanisms.
A collection of these nanoscale units is
programmable matter.

The Claytronics Project

Carnegie Mellon University & Intel Research of

Pittsburgh
Investigating ways to create a physical artifact using
programmable matter that will eventually be able to
mimic the original objects shape, movement, visual
appearance, sound, and tactile qualities.
Catoms (Claytronic Atoms)
Catoms can
Move in three dimensions in relation to other catoms.
Adhere to other catoms to maintain a 3D shape.
Communicate with other catoms in an ensemble.
Compute state information with possible assistance from

other catoms in the ensemble.

Ideal Catoms
A unit with a CPU, a network device, a

single-pixel display, one or more sensors, a

means of locomotion, and a mechanism for
adhering to other catoms.

Catom Prototype
44 mm Catom Prototype:

24 electromagnets arranged in a pair of stacked

rings.
To move, a pair of catoms in contact with one
another pair must appropriately energize the next set
of magnets along each of their circumferences.
100 ms to make a one-step move.

The Self-Assembly Project

Partnered with AutoDesk to represent

biomolecular self-assembly at the

human scale.
Beakers filled with red, black, or white
parts that will transform into a unique
molecule when energy is applied.

Biomolecular Self-Assembly
3 Parts:
Geometry shape of each unit in a complete system.
Attraction each unit has patterns of elements that attract

through positive and negative interactions which provide autoalignment.

Energy proper amount of energy to enable interactions to be
made and to form a complete assembly.

Biomolecular Self-Assembly
Polio Virus

Step 1

Step 2

Result

Skylar Tibbits
Researcher & Architect Professor at MIT
Founded the Self-Assembly Lab at MIT
Focuses on developing programmable

materials for the human scale world.

Developing 4D Printing
Programmable Matter
Self Assembly

4D Printing
The ability to program physical and

biological materials to change shape,

change properties, and compute outside of
silicon based matter.
-Skylar Tibbits

Goal: Take nano/biomolecular self-assembly

and apply to human scale in order to build

infrastructure more efficiently.

Technologies Used - Autodesk

CAD program for designing 3D structures with the ability

to transform.

Technologies Used AutoDesk

Project Cyborg - a cloud-based meta-platform

of design tools for programming matter across

domains and scales. Domains range from
nanoparticle design to tissue engineering, to
self-assembling human-scale manufacturing.

Project Cyborg

Future Use

Expanding/Contracting Water Pipes (Geo Syntec)

Large scale construction in extreme

environments

Discussion & Questions

References
http://www.autodeskresearch.com/projects/4dprinting
http://www.autodeskresearch.com/groups/nano
http://bioselfassembly.net/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gMCZFHv9v8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmable_matter#.22Simple.2

2_programmable_matter
http://origin-www.computer.org.navigator-

iup.passhe.edu/csdl/mags/co/2005/06/r6099.pdf
http://origin-www.computer.org.navigator-

iup.passhe.edu/csdl/proceedings/icqnm/2008/3085/00/3085a02
8.pdf