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3-D printing cancer tumors

Researchers at Drexel University have created a method for 3D printing living cancer tumors using cervical cancer cells and hydrogel substances. This breakthrough technology allows for more accurate modeling of tumor behavior and response to treatment, potentially leading to new paradigms for cancer research and individual therapies.

SourceDrexel University·JournalBiofabrication·DateApr 25, 2014

3D printing used as a tool to explain theoretical physics

Researchers have successfully demonstrated how complex theoretical physics can be transformed into a physical object using a 3D printer. They created an 8 cm3 object based on a mathematical model describing forest fires, which could be used to produce works of art or transform scientific discussions.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateDec 8, 2013

3-D printing: The greener choice

A study by Michigan Technological University finds that making products on a 3D printer uses less energy than producing them in factories and shipping them. The analysis also shows that using renewable resources like PLA plastic can further reduce environmental impact.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateOct 3, 2013

Entering a new dimension: 4-D printing

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh are proposing a new field of 4D printing, which enables materials to modify their structures over time in response to external stimuli. The team aims to develop adaptive composites that can reprogram their shape, properties, or functionality on demand.

Make it yourself and save -- a lot

A Michigan Technological University researcher predicts that personal manufacturing with 3D printing will enter the mainstream, offering consumers significant cost savings. The study analyzed 20 common household items and found that making them with a 3D printer could save up to $1,944 compared to buying them online.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalMechatronics·DateJul 29, 2013

Do-it-yourself invisibility with 3-D printing

Using 3D printing, researchers have created a simple and inexpensive way to produce plastic cloaks that can deflect microwave beams, making them appear invisible. The technique involves designing algorithms to create holes in the cloak, which allows it to suppress scattering from objects, effectively making them invisible.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptics Letters·DateMay 6, 2013

3-D printer can build synthetic tissues

Researchers at Oxford University have developed a custom-built 3D printer that can create materials with properties similar to living tissues. The printed 'droplet networks' are entirely synthetic and could potentially deliver drugs or replace damaged human tissues in the future.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience·DateApr 4, 2013

Printing soil science

Researchers successfully produce intricate pieces using 3-D printing, which offers benefits over traditional manufacturing methods. The technology also enables easy sharing of designs, allowing for better replication of experiments and collaboration among soil scientists.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateNov 28, 2012

Adding a '3D print' button to animation software

A group of computer graphics experts led by Harvard researcher Moritz Bächer create a software tool that translates video game characters into fully articulated action figures using 3D printing. The tool optimizes joint placement, size, and location for physical constraints, producing robust and realistic printed figures.

SourceHarvard University·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 31, 2012

Print your own teeth

Researchers have developed a method to create perfect-fit prosthetic dentistry using 3D printing technology. The approach combines medical imaging with computer-aided design to produce complex shapes like teeth and crowns. This technique has the potential to reduce production time and improve fit, making dental care more efficient.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Rapid Manufacturing·DateJul 14, 2011

Printing in 3-D

Researchers believe 3D printing will revolutionize consumer goods, individualized custom products, and product development with its ability to print solid objects almost instantly. The technology allows for rapid prototyping, digital downloads, and on-demand production, making traditional retail models obsolete.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Technology Marketing·DateSep 25, 2007