Depending on the type of Bacteria used in Ink, Scientists can produce mini bio-chemical factories to produce cellulose or other important and beneficial chemicals for medical applications, having certain properties...
3-D printer is actually a machine that can make things using their blue-prints and the building material like ceramic, metal or plastic. Even a home, or hotel can be built using this printer without the aid of Labors or Masons... :)
This is what a 3-D printer looks like... ;)
Now, this Ink that we are talking about here, that contains bacteria in it has some unique features:
- It must be as vicious as toothpaste
- It must be stick-able so as to maintain shape
- It must be somehow fluid so that Bacteria can secrete cellulose etc easily
I'm talking a lot of Bacteria here... We have a picture of these microorganisms as they are meant only to spread or cause the disease but let me tell you... There are many kinds of bacteria... The usual advantageous specie is the one that makes Yogurt from the milk... ;) So, these are the ones that are harmless...
Other than medical applications, this research can be a breakthrough to several others:
Sensors for toxic substances and filters for oil spills
Read the complete story here
References:
[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171201181555.htm
[2] https://www.lulzbot.com/store/printers/lulzbot-taz-6
Journal Reference:
Lynden Archer. 3D printing with living inks. Science Advances, 2017 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aao6804
Please Upvote