In the emerging programmable world, the convergence of 5G, quantum computing, augmented reality, smart materials and more are paving the way for businesses to reshape how they interact with the physical world. As technology becomes more tightly woven into the fabric of our real-world environment, it unlocks an unprecedented fidelity of control, automation and personalization.
For chemical companies, the trend takes shape in ways that enable programming material properties and behaviors to predict performance. It sets the stage for creating “smart” substances and self-healing materials. And in the programmable world, these materials can be produced with 4D printing where the output is not only 3D but also able to predictably change its shape or properties as the material is exposed to external forces over time. Executives in the chemical industry recognized the possibilities: according to our research, 91% agree that smart materials have the potential to create new business opportunities for their industry and drive a new generation of capabilities, properties and form factors.
Imagine being able to conduct extensive research and development purely through software—creating novel combinations of molecules and discovering marvelous new possibilities for improving people’s nutrition, health, safety and comfort. Digital discoveries could then be transferred into the physical lab to prove their viability or sent to 3D or 4D printers for immediate application. In the world of healthcare, for example, this process could lead to highly personalized medications, tailored to an individual’s disease manifestation and genetic profile, “printed” at home.