Researchers have developed a “living ink” that could be used to print alive materials and used for creating 3D structures, reports Phys.org. The team genetically engineered cells for E. Coli and other microbes to create living nanofibers bundled them and added other materials to create an ink that could be used in a standard 3D printer.
Mass production plans for the ink still unclear
Researchers tried creating living materials before, but it’s not easy to get those substances to fit intended 3D structures. However, that wasn’t the case here. The team developed one material that released an anti-cancer drug when induced with chemicals, while another removed the toxin BPA from the surroundings. The designs can be customized for other tasks as well.
Any practical uses could still be some ways off; for instance, it’s unclear how the ink would be mass-produced. However, there’s potential beyond the immediate medical and anti-pollution efforts. The creators envision buildings that are capable of repairing themselves or materials that can assemble themselves for Moon and Mars buildings, reducing the need for carrying resources from Earth. The ink could even manufacture itself if the circumstances are right.
3D printing is the thing of the future
Speaking of 3D printing, NASA is testing a 3D printer developed by Redwire for use in its upcoming Artemis moon missions. The space agency hopes to make the moon’s dusty soil as raw material for printing. The main idea is to make use of available materials on the lunar surface to make what is required rather than having to send heavy equipment all the way from earth.
Engineers have been working on this idea for a while now and have tried the process on Earth. But carrying a 3D printer into the microgravity of the ISS is a huge step in shaping the tech for use. The researchers want to determine whether the tech works without gravity and how strong the printed materials will be. We might see more such inventions in the coming days in the field of 3D printing, as it promises a lot of potentials.
