Chemistry World : 3D Printing of a Soft Network

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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3D Printing has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything. Designers and engineers in the aerospace and automotive sectors have been using the process for decades to build prototypes. Many complex parts manufactured by 3D Printing are now present on aircraft, satellites, medical industry etc. etc.

3D Printing technology is advancing rapidly and its cost is falling dramatically. And this means something that was once restricted to a few elite industries is quickly becoming  more widely available and affordable. It's going to open up so many new possibilities for new businesses, new business models, start-up companies, new products and much more!

Now lets learn about a synthetic material capable of performing some of the functions of living cells : Oxford University scientists have used a specially modified 3D prototype printer to lay down a network of interconnected, electrically conductive droplets. 

This technology could find it's way into tissue engineering applications, helping to support cells that are being grown into healthy new organs - replace damaged human tissue or deliver drugs to specific locations.

"We aren't trying to make materials that faithfully resemble tissues, but rather structures that can carry out the functions of tissues," says Professor Hagan Bayley, who led the research reported in the journal Science.

3D Printing lets you build an object as complex as an organ, layer by layer or droplet by droplet, explains Cameron Ferris a research associate from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science at the University of Wollongong.

Read the full story at Chemistry World.
Related topics : 3D Printing Technology - Make things by printing them : How it works
Science Nation - Printable Robots Designed to be Consumer friendly, Inexpensive
Hi-Tech & Custom Designed 3D Printed Prosthetics
The Tomorrow Project : Conversations about Synthetic Biology
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*by andreascy*

Scientists Unveil Rex, the Million-Dollar Bionic Man

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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A sign of how far the science of robotics has come is today's topic. The world is changing in a rapid way and most of the difficulties of the past are now engineering challenges. Leaders in the field discover impressive techniques that science fiction becomes part of everyday life. 

Swiss psychologist Bertolt Mayer was born without a left hand but now has a £30,000 bionic replacement - which could soon be obsolete. On the picture below he views "Rex", a two-meter tall artificial human, at the Science Museum in central London that was assembled for his documentary entitled "How to Build a Bionic Man".

Mayer was used as the model for the "bionic man," (including his face and his other favorite features), whom British roboticist designers claim is the world's first complete bionic man.

"I’ve looked for new bionic technologies, out of personal interest, for a very long time and...until five to six years ago nothing much was happening. Then suddenly we get this explosion of innovation," he told reporters.

Costing more than £500,000 to build, the human-like machine is featuring the latest in prosthetic technology like artificial organs (including a pancreas, kidney, spleen, trachea) as well as fully functioning limbs and synthetic blood (a blood circulatory system made of nano-particles that are able to bind oxygen and give them off, just like real blood can do). It even has sight.

Robotics expert Richard Walker, and Prof Alexander Seifalian of University College London, explained to the BBC's John Maguire how aspects of technology for helping physically handicapped people, were brought together for the project. Enjoy the video!

Learn more on Gizmag.

Amazing right? :) If you like this topic then definitely you will love our robotics section. If you get deeper on our Blog you will completely change your idea of what robots can do. You could bring forward your opinions and suggestions by using the comments box or the contact form. Spread our voice to your social circles and don't forget to subscribe on our feeds for more. 

*by andreascy* 

The Tomorrow Project : Conversations about Synthetic Biology

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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The Tomorrow Project

- What kind of future do you want to live in? 

- What future do you want to avoid? 

The Tomorrow Project is an International Program that explores our possible futures through fact-based, Science-based fiction and video conversations with Scientists and Science fiction authors, legends and world renowned experts, passionate advocates and everyday people. 

Science fiction gives all of us all a language so that we can have a conversation about the future and these conversations make dramatic changes.

Join the conversation >>

On today's topic Designer, Researchers and Scientists Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, Christina Agapakis and Patrick Boyle are in conversation with Intel Consumer Experience Architect - Futurist Brian David Johnson about Synthetic Biology.

Synthetic What?

Synthetic Biology is a new area of Biological Research and Technology that combines Science and Engineering. It encompasses a variety of different approaches, methodologies, and disciplines with a variety of definitions.The common goal is the Design and Construction of new Biological Functions and Systems not found in Nature.

The Scientists who engage in Synthetic Biology research approach the creation of new Biological system from different perspectives, focusing on finding how life works (the origin of life) or how to use it to benefit society. 

The former focus includes the approach of Biology, inserting man-made DNA into a living cell; and Chemistry, working on gene synthesis as an extension of Synthetic Chemistry. The latter focus includes Engineering, building the new Biological System as a platform for various Technologies; and rewriting, rebuilding the natural systems to provide the Engineered surrogates.

The advance of synthetic biology relies on several key enabling technologies provided at ever increasing speed and lower cost. DNA sequencing, fabrication of genes, modeling how synthetic genes behave, and precisely measuring gene behavior are essential tools in synthetic Biology. Enjoy the video!

Learn more about Synthetic Biology by checking also the .PDF file below:

Biotech Basics: Synthetic Biology - Merging Engineering and Biology

*by andreascy*