4D printing of architected metal structures via biodegradation

4D printing of architected metal structures via biodegradation | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Physical Sciences - Article 4D printing of architected metal structures via biodegradation Yu Qin, Zehao Jing, Aobo Liu, Youhao Wang, Shanshan Liu, Bo Peng, and 6 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7966906/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract 4D printing, integrating the temporal dimension into 3D printing, offers transformative potential for biomedical engineering. Yet its application to metals is constrained by the scarcity of suitable alloys and the requirement for harsh external stimuli to trigger shape change. Here, we introduce 4D printed architected metal structures (4DAMS) driven by controlled biodegradation. The 4DAMS combine biodegradable constraints (e.g., Mg or Zn) with biometals of higher corrosion potential (e.g., Ti). Upon selective constraint degradation, the structures recover their original geometry—via stretching, bending, or expansion—generating programmable recoil forces tuned through structural design parameters. When developed as scaffolds for bone implants, 4DAMS exhibit excellent cytocompatibility and, in vivo, promote superior bone regeneration through the synergistic effects of bioactivity and mechanical stimulation. This strategy establishes a new paradigm in 4D metal printing, enabling bioactive, self-restoring implants with broad applicability across biomedical engineering. Physical sciences/Materials science/Biomaterials/Implants Physical sciences/Materials science/Structural materials/Metals and alloys Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SupplementaryInformation1.pdf SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementaryvideos.rar Supplementary videos 1-4 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7966906","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Physical Sciences - Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":537968839,"identity":"b16ef28c-ea25-4dbc-b05d-065b6d3a3e09","order_by":0,"name":"Yu 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