Alanazi Budur N, Ahmed Hoda A, Alharbi Nuha S, Ebrahim Noura A A, Soliman Soliman M A
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University P. O. Box 84428 Riyadh 11671 Saudi Arabia.
Department of Chemistry, College of Science at Yanbu, Taibah University Madinah Saudi Arabia.
RSC Adv. 2025 Sep 5;15(39):32155-32171. doi: 10.1039/d5ra04410c.
The field of biomaterials has evolved rapidly with the introduction of time as a transformative factor, giving rise to four-dimensional (4D) materials that can dynamically change their structure or function in response to external stimuli. This review presents a comprehensive comparison between traditional three-dimensional (3D) and emerging 4D biomaterials, highlighting the key distinctions in design, adaptability, and functionality. We explore the development of smart biomaterials at the core of 4D systems, including stimuli-responsive polymers, shape-memory materials, and programmable hydrogels. The ability of these materials to undergo controlled transformations under physiological or engineered stimuli offers promising avenues in tissue engineering, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and soft robotics. By integrating responsiveness and temporal control, 4D biomaterials represent a paradigm shift in biomedical engineering, with the potential to revolutionize patient-specific therapies and next-generation implants. Future challenges and opportunities for clinical translation are also discussed.
随着时间作为一个变革性因素的引入，生物材料领域迅速发展，催生出了能够响应外部刺激而动态改变其结构或功能的四维（4D）材料。本综述对传统的三维（3D）生物材料和新兴的4D生物材料进行了全面比较，突出了设计、适应性和功能方面的关键差异。我们探讨了作为4D系统核心的智能生物材料的发展，包括刺激响应性聚合物、形状记忆材料和可编程水凝胶。这些材料在生理或工程刺激下进行可控转变的能力在组织工程、药物递送、再生医学和软机器人领域提供了有前景的途径。通过整合响应性和时间控制，4D生物材料代表了生物医学工程的范式转变，有可能彻底改变针对患者的治疗方法和下一代植入物。还讨论了临床转化的未来挑战和机遇。
