Shaping Tomorrow: Thin Films and 3D Printing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution 1: Fundamentals

This two-volume work explores the convergence of thin films and 3D printing within the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), targeting engineers, researchers, students, and professionals. The book begins by elucidating Industry 4.0 and its pivotal drivers, emphasizing the integration of advanced digital technologies, automation, and data-driven insights. Subsequent chapters look into the history, properties, and emerging trends of thin films, showcasing their diverse applications in flexible electronics, green hydrogen production, battery technologies, solar technology, and high-performance displays and lighting. Additionally, it explores the transformative role of 3D printing across industries, from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and consumer goods. The work meticulously addresses challenges and opportunities in adopting these technologies, advocating for collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Lastly, it underscores the integration of thin films and 3D printing, highlighting their synergistic potential in driving innovation, customization, and sustainability in manufacturing and beyond. The work serves as an insightful guide, offering valuable perspectives and insights into the applications and relevance of thin films and 3D printing in the 4IR landscape.

This first volume deals with fundamental aspects.

Dr Ukoba is a lecturer and researcher in the department of mechanical engineering science of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He obtained a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban in South Africa, graduating among the top 15 researchers. He coordinates the smart energy group for JENANO headed by Professor Jen. He oversees a group of doctoral students, masters’ and undergraduate students. He has won couple of individual and group grants, awards, and fellowships. Recent among them is the one million South Africa Rands grant by SASOL/NRF Collaborative Research grant for water treatment using Atomic Layer deposition in 2021. He is among the author for the African Integrated Assessment report by United Nations Environment Programme, African Union Commission, CCAC and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) joint publication. He is also a 2022 Engineering for Change (E4C) fellow sponsored by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to support an Impact Project around Climate Action. He has authored book, book chapters and journal articles, presented in conferences and serves as a reviewer for high impact journals and conferences. He acts as an academic and career mentor to students.

Prof. Jen is the head of department of Mechanical Engineering Science at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa and research chair of green hydrogen in South Africa. Prior to that, he was a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States of America. Prof Jen received his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in thermal aspects of grinding. He has received several competitive grants for his research, including those from the US National Science Foundation, the US Department of Energy, and the EPA. Prof. Jen has brought in ＄3.0 million of funding for his research and has received various awards for his research including the NSF GOALI Award. Prof. Jen has established a Joint Research Centre with the Nanjing Tech University of China on the ＂Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing.＂ Prof. Jen is also the Director of the newly established Atomic Layer Deposition Research Centre of the University of Johannesburg. South Africa National Research Foundation has awarded Prof. Jen a NNEP grant (National Nano Equipment Program) worth USD 1 million to acquire two state-of-the-art Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Tools for ultra-thin film coating. He also won a grant for water treatment from NRF/SASOl worth 1 million South Africa rands recently. He is currently leading the drive for application of Atomic Layer deposition equipment (first of its kind in Africa) for various applications (hydrogen, renewable energy, thin films, etc). He is a fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), member of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), among others. Prof. Jen is a highly published and top-rated researcher with over 360 peer-reviewed articles, including 180 peer-reviewed journal papers, published in Elsevier, ACS, Taylor and Francis, Springer Nature, Wiley, MDPI. He has written 16 book chapters and has 5 books published with the latest book titled ＂Chalcogenide: Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Composites,＂ published by CRC press-Taylor Francis, January 2021.