We need to learn quickly to keep up with the massive change around us so we don't get run over. We need to outrun change.
I’ve used the analogy of a newly opened frontier in the areas of :
This post starts a new “good stuff” series. Don’t have time to write a full post commenting on all the cool articles I see, so sometimes I’ll just link to articles and give a brief comment.
Here are some articles talking about the open frontier.
Education
Continue reading “More good stuff on the open frontiers – 11-9-13”
Check out this 3-D printer. The video demo shows this odd contraption as it prints leather shoes, screen doors, plastic jugs, aluminum cans, a complete sofa, tennis balls and leather belts. Even edible fruit and vegetables.
The inputs are a little peculiar though.
In the back of my mind, I am wondering if someone is pulling my leg, but I don’t think so. Some misinformed people may claim this is actually a shredder, but those people are wrong.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHyygU1cU0k&feature=player_embedded]
Continue reading “Demo of 3-D printer that can create anything. Anything!”
The technology is in its infancy, yet bioengineers are creating human tissue through computerized adaptive manufacturing, or 3-D printing right now. Today.
A Wall Street Journal article, Printing Evolves, An Inkjet for Living Tissue, has details.
Scientists can build tissue, such as a blood vessel, one dot of tissue at a time, just like other 3-D printing applications. Around the tissue a separate nozzle places a water-soluble gel, called hydrogel, that works like a mold to hold the tissue in place until the dots of tissue knit together. After the printing is done, the tissue is stored in a solution that provides nutrients. Then after a few weeks to stabilize, the hydrogel is washed away.
What will develop next after the astounding technology changes of the last 30 years? We have no idea.
Previous post described my brain stretch from an article, The Next Great Growth Cycle, by Mark Mills.
His main point is we can no more tell today where technology will be in 30 years than we could predict in 1980 where we are today.
He then points out three major technology transitions that are already here and will have a huge impact in the future:
Continue reading “The technology revolution has just begun – part 2”
Emma, the child in the video, was born with a disease that means she can’t lift her arms. Available technology helps but is too heavy for her. Looks like the equipment isn’t very mobile.
The manufacturer used 3-D printing to make parts light enough for this little girl to move her arms and mobile enough for her to go everywhere with it.
From the YouTube link:
Two-year-old Emma wanted to play with blocks, but a condition called arthrogryposis meant she couldn’t move her arms. So researchers at a Delaware hospital 3D printed a durable custom exoskeleton with the tiny, lightweight parts she needed.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoZ2BgPVtA0&feature=player_detailpage#t=122s]
Continue reading “3-D printing of exoskeleton for child who is no longer immobilized”
3-D printing is already being used for some airplane parts. A Wall Street Journal article, Next 3-D Frontier: Printed Plane Parts, provides details (behind paywall).
Here are some details on the types of parts currently printed: Continue reading “3-D printing of airplane parts”
Take hundreds of pictures of your favorite sculpture, drop them into specialty software, touch up the results, and you can print a replica to enjoying your home or office.
That’s where 3-D printing is at right now.
Cosmo Wenman took 1000 pictures of a favorite sculpture and now has a replica he can hold in his hand.
Here is the video:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blKcIsEEoag]
Not that I’m ready to get one right now, but someday….
There’s a 3D printer called a Solidoodle that’s available for $500. Can print up to 6” items. It uses the melted extruded plastic approach to printing. Check it out here.
Cool video demonstration at the link.
That is an amazing example of the things that are available now.
Here is a link to an interview on CNN demonstrating a 3-D printer for home use. Cost $1,300.
This printer created a wearable shoe and full-color mini-bust of the host.
Continue reading “Demonstration of $1,300 personal 3-D printer”
That’s the number showing up at the Euromold trade fair in Frankfurt, from a report from The Economist, The shape of things to come. From the article:
It was here that 300 or so exhibitors working in three-dimensional printing (or “additive manufacturing” as they prefer to call it) were gathered.
The range of items that can be printed today include shoes and dresses, which is very nice. Even better are the exhaust manifolds and artificial legs. Cool!
Consider an artificial hip. Continue reading “How many exhibitors of 3D printing showed up at a big trade fair? 300.”