Abstract
Over the last few decades, advances in three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing techniques have made at ease to fabricate accurate biological components and complicated 3D geometrics. Further, the rapid expansion of 3D printing has made things easier in pharmaceutical applications, allowing for the creation of personalized drug screening and drug development. 3D and 4D printing technologies are sustainable and environment friendly, and are currently in process of bringing industrial revolution for the synthesis of pharmaceutical and chemical products. This article reviewed the advancements in 3D & 4D printing technologies and argues how these techniques will bring revolution and sustainability in industrial development compared to the traditional printing and manufacturing technology. The research articles for the current study were searched over online web-databases viz Google Scholar, EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science. The search keywords used were: ((“three-dimensional printing technique” OR “3D printing technique” OR “Four-dimensional printing technique” OR “4D printing technique”) AND (“Applications” OR “Uses” OR “Manufacturing” OR “Additive manufacturing” etc.)). Few more search keywords like sustainability, eco-friendly, smart materials, polymers, and industrial development were used in combination with 3DP and 4DP technologies. The search was limited for last 10 years. The retrieved studies were checked for their relevancy and publication year. Literature review revealed that 3D & 4D printing have diverse applications including medical and pharma-technology. 4D printed objects can change their shape by themselves over the influence of external stimuli, such as light, heat, electricity, magnetic field etc. that can play diverse role in medical technology for e.g., 4D printing offers rapid development with its capability of customization of smart orthopedics implants, spinal deformities, fracture fixation, joint and knee replacement. The technique of additive manufacturing (AM) has been used to build a solid 3D part straight from computer-aided design data. AM is a manufacturing technique that has been increasingly popular in recent years across a variety of industries. AM allows for large adjustments in production costs, energy consumption as well as production lead times. AM is also used for the synthesis of various drugs in the pharmaceutical and polymeric materials. Keeping the humongous potential of 3D & 4D printing in view, we can conclude that still pertinent research is in the preliminary stage and future intensive research dealing with its deep amalgamation with artificial intelligence is warranted.
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•Review article is based on smart manufacturing technologies.•Technologies have great advantages in the future.•3D & 4D printing have wide applications in the present COVID-19 Pandemic scenario.•Both technologies have sustainable and environmental friendly.•3D & 4D will bring a bright future for various industries.