3D printing is the future promised today; well that’s what everyone says. Disruptive innovation is well and truly here, unfortunately not wrapped up in an entirely affordable package but prices are racing down; if every Kickstarter is to be believed. Certainly the RepRap movement has spurred this rapid evolution of printers.
The question asked is simply, what could this technology do for us? Would it enable the “disruptive innovation” in our thinking? What could this do for scientific research? Could it innovate science education?
Multiple instances exist of 3d printed modifications driving democratisation of scientific equipment; generally considered as notoriously overpriced. Recent publications like “The Open Source Lab” (Dr Joshua M Pearce, Elsevier, 2013, ISBN:9780124104624) provide primers for this. Quick searches on Thingiverse reveal examples of modified electrophoresis (for separation of DNA, RNA and protein) equipment, simple test tube racks or novel drill powered microcentrifuges etc. For years science labs across the world have been making do. With 3D printing we are now MAKING.
Beyond equipment it is generally acknowledged that learning through the use of 3D models in classrooms makes for a more rounded learning experience. The explosion in additive manufacturing can further facilitate this especially when considering that it allows for the teacher to take back the learning plan and create their own 3D models for teaching.
This blog is partly a journey into the unknown territory of 3D printing especially for a biotechnologist in Africa but with an aim to highlighting what we do as well as what 3D printing in scientific research and education can do, even if just in a dusty corner of South Africa. Comparatives will be provided between what exists and what can exist. Modifications to existing equipment will be provided and discussed. Novel scientific equipment and educational approaches will be introduced and critiqued.
Watch this space.
Comments