000111one111000
Mar 10, 2003, 11:03 AM
I don't know how many have already seen this, nor do I know if it's been posted yet, but I did a few searches and came up with nothing.
Anyways, these new printers are, basically, "replicators" somewhat like in Star Trek. Well, the idea is basically the same.
In both instances, scientists have taken inkjet printers and, in the first article, made them to print out 3D living tissue. The ink is replaced by a suspension of cells.
In the second article, scientists have made it so they can print out a lightbulb, using electroactive polymers.
Bio-Printer (http://greenvilleonline.com/news/2003/01/29/20030129506.htm)
"Gadget Printer" (http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993238)
Anyways, I just wanted to see what some other people thought about this.
Can you just imagine the day when you say "honey, my Mac just died, can you order a new one for me and print it out real quick?" Or "I hate my face, I'm gonna print out a new one."
In some areas, I can see how this perhaps could be a bad idea, in terms of businesses having to face a new form of copyright or theft, etc. But in the medical area, I see this as nothing but good. Need a new lung? Let's print one out. New heart, gimme a few minutes to print one for you.
discuss :)
enoch
Anyways, these new printers are, basically, "replicators" somewhat like in Star Trek. Well, the idea is basically the same.
In both instances, scientists have taken inkjet printers and, in the first article, made them to print out 3D living tissue. The ink is replaced by a suspension of cells.
In the second article, scientists have made it so they can print out a lightbulb, using electroactive polymers.
Bio-Printer (http://greenvilleonline.com/news/2003/01/29/20030129506.htm)
"Gadget Printer" (http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993238)
Anyways, I just wanted to see what some other people thought about this.
Can you just imagine the day when you say "honey, my Mac just died, can you order a new one for me and print it out real quick?" Or "I hate my face, I'm gonna print out a new one."
In some areas, I can see how this perhaps could be a bad idea, in terms of businesses having to face a new form of copyright or theft, etc. But in the medical area, I see this as nothing but good. Need a new lung? Let's print one out. New heart, gimme a few minutes to print one for you.
discuss :)
enoch
