Story perspectives

Revolutionary 4D Printing Turns Industrial Waste into Smart Robots

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Dr. Dong-Gyun Kim leads a Korean team that developed the first 4D printing using industrial sulfur waste.
The resulting recyclable soft robots move autonomously and respond to heat, light, and magnetic fields without motors.
A sulfur-rich polymer enables shape change after printing, aided by quick laser-triggered chemical welding.
The approach supports a closed-loop manufacturing system, allowing material reuse and potential advances in medicine and manufacturing.

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Story summary

Dr. Dong-Gyun Kim leads a Korean team that developed the first 4D printing using industrial sulfur waste.
The resulting recyclable soft robots move autonomously and respond to heat, light, and magnetic fields without motors.
A sulfur-rich polymer enables shape change after printing, aided by quick laser-triggered chemical welding.
The approach supports a closed-loop manufacturing system, allowing material reuse and potential advances in medicine and manufacturing.