<p>A research team has been given a US$855,000 grant to start research on printing's next step: the fourth dimension.</p><p>The ABS plastic isn't even dry, but researchers are already moving on to find out what could be the next big thing to come to printing. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the University of Illinois have been granted US$855,000 from the United States Army Research Office to research and develop 4D printing.</p><p>The fourth dimension being time, the aim is to develop a material that can change itself over time (beyond, say, melting in the heat like plastic, or fading in light like ink) such as a camouflaging material that can change its colour and patterning, or a material that can alter its structure to adapt to changing environmental conditions.</p><p>Of course, this is all still very theoretical, but the team's plans definitely have a real-life application end goal this isn't just research for its own sake.</p><p><a href="http://www.cnet.com.au/researchers-set-to-move-on-to-4d-printing-339345623.htm">Keep reading...</a></p>