{"id":1415,"date":"2014-10-01T10:25:56","date_gmt":"2014-10-01T14:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www2.hshsl.umaryland.edu\/hslupdates\/?p=1415"},"modified":"2014-10-01T10:25:56","modified_gmt":"2014-10-01T14:25:56","slug":"notable-tech-trends-the-maker-movement-and-3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.hshsl.umaryland.edu\/hslupdates\/?p=1415","title":{"rendered":"Notable Tech Trends: The Maker Movement and 3D Printing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently, 3D printing technology and the Maker Movement have gained much traction and transformed themselves from a novelty into a mainstream phenomenon. “Makerspace” refers to a community-operated workspace where people with common interests \u2013 often in computers, machining, technology, science, or digital or electronic art \u2013 meet, socialize, and collaborate. A makerspace encompasses a continuum of activity that includes “co-working,” “hackerspace,” and “fab lab<\/a>.” Hackerspace emphasizes computer programming activities while “fab lab” tends to offer more machinery equipment. All of them share the same focus on making rather than consuming. In order to support individuals in pursuing such making activities, makerspaces offer tools and equipment that are not readily available at home such as a 3D printer and laser cutter, provide a collaborative space where people can learn by hands-on activities, and organize events and workshops.<\/p>\n

The goal of a makerspace is to foster and facilitate people\u2019s creativity and innovation by providing a playful and informal learning environment for hands-on experimentation and learning-by-doing experience. While makerspaces provide many other tools and resource, the most prominently featured technology at makerspaces is 3D printing. Invented in the 1980s, 3D printing technology is not new, but the recent advent of affordable 3D printers on the market has made 3D printing more accessible to the public than ever before. Most 3D printers use ABS or PLA plastic as material and melt it at a high temperature to shape it into a three-dimensional object. It is also possible to use ceramic, metal, chocolate, sugar, and even concrete or organic materials for 3D printing. Scientists are already\u00a0<\/span>bio-printing human tissues and attempting to 3D print a human organ itself<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We need to pay attention to the Maker Movement and 3D printing because they have a significant impact on health sciences research and beyond. By bringing a new and affordable means of production to individuals, the maker movement and 3D printing catalyze innovation and promote entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n