Buzz
While printing a movie ticket or boarding pass is convenient, imagine being able to create a custom action figure of yourself, fabricate a replacement cell phone antenna, or even design a protein cage to isolate living cells.
All of this is possible—provided you have access to the necessary technology.
Over the years, "printing" technology has undergone a quiet revolution, empowering users to generate a vast array of items—from firearm components to genetic material—directly from digital files. Here are six remarkable examples.
1. Create a Poseable Figure
Moritz Bacher, a researcher at Harvard, created an algorithm that excites both children and adult hobbyists. His software transforms any video game avatar into a customizable, poseable action figure. Simply select your avatar, hit print, and the algorithm determines the optimal placement of joints. This innovation offers two exciting opportunities: World of Warcraft enthusiasts can now craft poseable versions of their in-game characters, and children can design their own unique action figures.
2. Designing Circuits
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If you encounter a Dimatix Fujifilm printer crafting metallic patterns on plastic sheets, it could be producing a cell phone antenna or virtually any type of circuit. This system utilizes metals in a suspended solution to print a wide variety of circuits. The Dimatix printer is primarily used by customers for fast and efficient prototyping.
3. Miniature Version of You
Recall the old photo booths that were popular before camera phones became ubiquitous? The Omote 3-D takes this concept to the next level. This innovative booth integrates a 3D scanner and a 3D printer to create lifelike replicas of its users. Simply pay, step inside, strike a pose, and within minutes, you’ll receive a small, full-color figurine of yourself.
4. Microscopic Enclosures
While most 3D printers can construct cages, NanoInk Inc. offers a system capable of printing with individual proteins. This technology arranges molecular chains to create tiny cages designed to isolate living cells. According to Ruby Lam, a scientist at the company, these enclosures allow researchers to test chemicals and drugs on individual cells without interference from neighboring cells.
5. Drug-Enhanced Implants
The human body often rejects foreign objects, creating challenges for medical treatments. For instance, Uncle Joe might require a stent to keep his artery open, but his body may resist it. While doctors typically use immunosuppressants to address this issue, these drugs weaken the immune system. MicroFab Technologies Inc. has developed a solution with their advanced printer, which can create intricate 3D structures using various materials. This technology enables them to produce a stent infused with medication that prevents local rejection without harming the rest of the body.
6. Printing Life
While scientists have long been able to manipulate materials on a microscopic level, they can now print using DNA. Harvard researcher George Church showcased this capability by encoding a draft of his book into DNA. Shortly after, bio-entrepreneur Craig Venter revealed that his company is developing a printer capable of producing vaccines on demand.
