Editorial: 4D materials design and additive manufacturing conference 2025

The Fourth International Conference on 4D Materials, Design and Additive Manufacturing (4DMDA 2025) was held from 8 to 10 July 2025 at the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), drawing researchers, engineers and innovators from across the globe to explore the latest advances in smart materials, programmable structures and additive manufacturing. Hosted by ASTAR IHPC and supported by Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) and 4D Printing Society, the conference attracted leading and emerging academics and industry practitioners, reinforcing its role as a premier international platform for 4D printing research.With three full days of technical sessions and a half-day post-conference workshop, 4DMDA 2025 showcased cutting-edge developments in 4D material systems, advanced printing techniques and cross-sector applications. Invited plenary and keynote talks were complemented by oral sessions, interactive demonstrations and award presentations. The dynamic exchange of ideas underscored the conference's core mission: to accelerate the translation of fundamental discoveries into industrial, biomedical, aerospace, soft robotics and environmental solutions.The conference theme – polymer materials, metals, design, metamaterials, medical applications, active materials, soft robotics, additive manufacturing processes, composites and processes, for the next wave of 4D printing innovation – framed discussions across multiple domains:Biomedical innovation featured prominently, with presentations on multimaterial VAT-printed catheters with anti-biofilm coatings and ultrasound-responsive properties, self-healing hydrogels for tissue repair and shape-memory stents for minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions.Telecommunications and sensing saw novel designs such as the 4D-printed intelligent reflecting surface for high-resolution indoor beamforming, pushing additive manufacturing into next-generation wireless networks.Soft robotics and textiles advanced through research on programmable yarns with direct ink writing of elastomeric fibers, and adaptive metamaterials for morphing aerospace surfaces.Computational design and artificial intelligence (AI) integration gained momentum, including machine learning-assisted defect detection, generative design for multi-physics performance and real-time closed-loop process control.Sustainability and circular manufacturing emerged as a unifying priority, with several works integrating bio-based photopolymers, vitrimer-based recyclability and design-for-disassembly principles to enable greener product lifecycles.The Guest of Honor, Dr Ho Chaw Sing (CEO, NAMIC), opened the conference by emphasizing Singapore's vision for additive manufacturing as a pillar of advanced manufacturing competitiveness and sustainable growth.Prof Jerry Qi (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA) presented breakthroughs in multi-stimuli 4D printing, highlighting synergies between polymer chemistry, structural design, and rapid prototyping.Prof Hidemitsu Furukawa (Yamagata University, Japan) proposed the future of food printing, with considerations of visual appeal, texture and taste, including printed sushi.Prof Ge Qi (Southern University of Science and Technology, China) showcased scalable approaches to reconfigurable structures with embedded intelligence.Prof Carlos Sanchez Somolinos (CSIC, Spain) on liquid crystal elastomer architectures for adaptive robotic systems with biomedical applications.Prof Frédéric Demoly (UTBM, France) on design automation for additive manufacturing of functional mechanisms.Prof Howon Lee (Seoul National University, South Korea) on micro/nano 4D printing for multi-material soft robotics and biomedical scaffolds.Prof Wang Dong (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China) on hybrid manufacturing of soft robotics and responsive aerospace structures.Out of a highly competitive field, the following presentations were recognised for their exceptional innovation, scientific contribution and clarity of delivery:Thileepan Stalin (Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore) on Programmable Yarns: Direct Ink Writing of Elastomeric Yarns with Responsive MaterialsMaria D'Aloia (Politecnico di Torino, Italy) on 3D-printed Self-healing Hydrogels for Biomedical ApplicationsJames Wilford Caruana (University of Nottingham, UK) on Enhancing Neonatal Catheterisation: Multimaterial VAT-Printed Catheters with Anti-Biofilm and Ultrasound-Responsive PropertiesKyounghwan Kim (Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea) on 4D-Printed Intelligent Reflecting Surface Using Both Phase and Space Modulation for High-Resolution Indoor Beamforming.The 4D Printing Society proudly recognizes four exceptional leaders from across America, Europe and Asia whose significant and consistent achievements have shaped the global advancement of 4D printing. These individuals exemplify the dedication, innovations and scientific rigor that continue to drive the 4D printing field forward.H. Jerry Qi, Georgia Institute of Technology, USAFrédéric Demoly, UTBM, FranceCarlos Sánchez Somolinos, Spanish National Council of Research (CSIC), SpainHidemitsu Furukawa, Yamagata University, JapanThese leading figures have not only advanced the frontiers of smart materials additive manufacturing but also inspired the next generation of innovators through their collaborative spirit and high-impact contributions to the 4D Printing Society.The post-conference 4D additive manufacturing (4DAM) Workshop brought together experts from academia, government and industry to draft white papers charting the path forward for 4D printing across priority sectors. Key outcomes included:Healthcare and medical: roadmaps for regulatory adoption of 4D-printed implants.Aerospace and defense: integration of adaptive morphing surfaces for fuel efficiency.Soft robotics: defining standards for AI-driven closed-loop control in multi-material printing of soft robots and establishing lifecycle assessment frameworks for 4D-printed soft robots.The 4DMDA 2025 germinated novel ideas for academia–industry partnerships, with multiple collaborations initiated during networking sessions. Industrial case studies explored for translating lab-scale prototypes into production-ready components for medical devices, communication infrastructure and adaptive aerospace systems.Reflecting international R and D agendas, many sessions addressed healthcare, energy, sustainability and aerospace resilience, aligning with global initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advanced manufacturing roadmaps.Healthcare priorities were met through works enhancing patient safety, personalization and minimally invasive treatments.Sustainable industry innovation was addressed through recyclable materials, bio-based feedstocks, sustainable nonplanar 4D printing and energy-efficient curing processes.Digital transformation in manufacturing connected with AI-enhanced process control, predictive maintenance and online defect detection integration.Building on this year's momentum, the next 4DMDA conference will continue to expand its thematic scope while deepening industry engagement and institutional diversity. Details will be announced on 4DPrintings.com and partner channels. The conversations, collaborations and commitments formed in the event will undoubtedly shape the next generation of 4D materials, design strategies and manufacturing systems.During the preparation of this work, the author used GPT-5 to enhance structure, clarity and brevity of the first draft of the editorial. The authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the publication's content.