It explains concept of thin films, atomic layers deposition, and the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) with aim to illustrate existing resources and explains processes, provide a selection of different types of 3D printing, used materials, emerging trends and applications, and current top-performing 3D printers using different technologies.

Kingsley 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 is among the authors for the African Integrated Assessment report by the 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 chapters and journal articles, has presented at conferences, and serves as a reviewer for high-impact journals and conferences.
Tien-Chien Jen is the head of Department of Mechanical Engineering Science at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the SARChI Chair for Green Hydrogen in South Africa. A director of the Atomic Layer Deposition Research Centre of the University of Johannesburg, 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 the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in the thermal aspects of grinding. He is currently leading the drive for the 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) and member of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), among others. Prof. Jen has written over 360 peer-reviewed articles, including 180 peer-reviewed journal papers, 16 book chapters, and 5 books to date.

1. Introduction. 2. DEMYSTIFYING CONCEPT OF THIN FILMS 3. Thin films Properties, Characterization Techniques, and Applications. 4. Demystifying Concept of Atomic Layer Deposition and its Applications in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 5. Demystifying 4IR and Emerging Modern Technology (Solar Energy). 6. Demystifying 3D Printing Technology and Application in Emerging 4IR Technologies 7. Materials and Manufacturers of 3D printing technology. 8. Emerging Applications of 3D printing technology. 9. Demystifying 4IR and Emerging Modern Technology (Machine learning and Energy). 10. Demystifying 4IR and Emerging Modern Technology