Scientists Want to Send These Shape-Shifting “4D” Objects Into Space

Researchers have developed a new method for creating “4D” shape-shifting structures that could one day be used out in space – that extra fourth dimension being the way they alter their form after being manufactured with only a temperature change.

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Tau.Neutrino said:

Scientists Want to Send These Shape-Shifting “4D” Objects Into Space

Researchers have developed a new method for creating “4D” shape-shifting structures that could one day be used out in space – that extra fourth dimension being the way they alter their form after being manufactured with only a temperature change.

more…

So things that change shape over time are called 4D now?

Does that apply to trees, potatoes, slugs and amoeba as well?

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Scientists Want to Send These Shape-Shifting “4D” Objects Into Space

Researchers have developed a new method for creating “4D” shape-shifting structures that could one day be used out in space – that extra fourth dimension being the way they alter their form after being manufactured with only a temperature change.

more…

So things that change shape over time are called 4D now?

Does that apply to trees, potatoes, slugs and amoeba as well?

It possibly relates to current POV?

Tau.Neutrino said:

Scientists Want to Send These Shape-Shifting “4D” Objects Into Space

Researchers have developed a new method for creating “4D” shape-shifting structures that could one day be used out in space – that extra fourth dimension being the way they alter their form after being manufactured with only a temperature change.

more…

IIRC, there was some pioneering work done on this in Australia. A particular type of space antenna developed in Australia decades ago unrolls or unfolds (I can’t remember which) when subjected to temperature change, without the need for mechanical joints. This has been used in space.

The advantage is that mechanical joints tend to freeze up in space, it’s known as “space welding” and is due to the loss of lubricating air between the parts. Good lubricants have been developed but they’re still unreliable, as we saw with the incomplete unfolding of the antenna onboard the Galileo spacecraft to Jupiter.

Looking at the linked article now. This is a direct extension of the earlier Australian work, I hope they cited it.