Poster

Abstract

3D printing technology which is an additive manufacturing process that creates a physical object from a digital design, is pointed as the new industrial revolution. This technology allows anyone to create customized products that meets specific needs with affordable prices. Nowadays, 3D printing has been used to manufacture medical prosthetics, human tissues and organs such as teeth or hip replacements. In fact, this technique has become a scientific catalyst. Numerous equipment’s for microscopy, molecular biology and electrophysiology can be easily accessed through different online 3D digital designs. On other hand, researchers can build or customize sophisticated lab equipment’s from scratch. Laboratories can be set up in a low cost system with a fraction of the costs of the commercial alternatives through a movement known as “Open Labware”. There are interesting applications of this technology such as neuropsychobiology and wildlife conservation. Recovery of animals with prosthetic structures have been successfully used and coral reefs conservation is possible. The introduction of artificial corals with identical shape, size, texture and chemical composition can support the ocean fauna in deteriorated reefs. The scientific community is only scratching the surface regarding the potentialities of 3D printing technology.