3D Printers Changing the World

Assignment # 6

By
Jelena Komlenac
103849443
komlena@uwindsor.ca

26-100-91
Langs

April 14, 2014






5725 Cady st.
Lasalle, Ontario, N9H 2L1
March 17, 2014

Lenore Langs
Professor
English Dept.
University of Windsor

Dear Prof. Langs:

I am writing to you about my final assignment, thoughts on this course and to
thank you for teaching me. I found it harder to write a research essay and I think
this is because I find myself more motivated when writing a personal essay. I still
got to write about a topic that has fascinated me over the past couple of months
and found the essay much easier to write when I already had thoughts and ideas
on the subject. I initially took this course because I wanted to keep up my essay
and grammar skills while studying Biology for the next four years. I understand
that teaching an online course is difficult in terms of getting in touch with your
students and trying to teach over a website. I think that the course was nicely
planned out and an equal amount of time was given between assignments. The
website that was used to hand in our work was simple to use and all in all my
recommendation would be to keep teaching this course the same way. I enjoyed
this semester with you Professor Langs and thank you for reviewing all of my
assignments and taking the time to give feedback on my work. If you have any
questions, please contact me by email.
Sincerely,

Jelena Komlenac
komlena@uwindsor.ca
Biology













Technology is ever changing in todays world. New discoveries are leading to
advancements in every subject and improving the way we can use technology for a
greater cause. Recently a new development has come to light and is being used all
around the world in many different ways, the 3 dimensional printer. The 3D printer
has become an important stage in the evolution of society. It has opened new doors
in biotechnology, art and economical development. This innovation has been around
for 30 years but has only been truly discovered for its benefits to society in the past
year. The biological outlook is that this machine can build what we havent been
able to make before and has been advancing medical breakthroughs. It has created
new ways for artists to express themselves and show the world how technology and
art can be combined to create something wonderful. The economical benefits are
enormous but it will take time for the 3D printer to make a significant impact.

The Biotechnical advancements with the 3 dimensional printer have been
astounding. In February 2014, a 14-month-old baby boy in Louisville had a heart
defect and needed to undergo surgery. The doctor performing the surgery used x-
rays of the boys heart to produce a 3D model of the heart and was able to then see
exactly how he needed to proceed with the surgery. This technique allows surgeons
to now go about surgery without making a fatal mistake that could end a patients
life or unnecessary cuts and minor surgeries. Researcher Stuart Williams, Ph.D. at
the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute in Louisville stated, 1)We think we can do it
in 10 years that we can build, from a patients own cells, a total bioficial heart.
Not only have organ models been produced but actual limbs and joint replacements
have been successfully made and used for replacement surgery. A few months ago
the largest implant was made with the 3D printer and was used to replace a
womans skull that had previously had a chronic bone disease. The 23 hour long
surgery went without a glitch and the patients body did not reject the new skull. So
far human bodies have been accepting this new form of technology and not only has
it been saving lives but it will continue to do so by researchers being able to
artificially creating human tissues. With the 3D machine anything is possible, the
created human tissues and organs are used for drug testing and cancer fighting
solutions that will one day hopefully be successful. This new innovation has changed
the face of medical advancements and has thrown biotechnology into the future.

Artists have been expressing themselves with paint, photos and even food
but the 3D printer has given them something else to think about. With a machine
that can make virtually anything artists can now use it to create what was
impossible to create before. The new 3D printer pen has a smooth sleek design that
allows you to create anything in the air by the sweeping movements of your hand.
Its an incredible way to make a piece of art and let artists combine technology with
emotion and be able to show it to the world. Artist Gilles Azzaro took a snippet of
President Obamas 2013 Sate of the Union speech and created a physical sound
wave that when scanned could actually produce the sounds of the speech given. The
3D printer brings new levels to interactive art and is making it available to students
around the world. Fashion designers as well are investing in 3 dimensional printers
as the cost and time of producing a new tentative item is more effective then putting
it through mass production. To be able to produce something from your imagination
in a matter of hours is what artist and designers have been dreaming of and now it is
possible with the advanced technology of the 3D printer.

The vast potential of 3 dimensional printing is ever-present and the
opportunities are endless. As part of President Obamas 2013 State of the Union
address, he states, 2)3D printing that has the potential to revolutionize the way we
make almost everything. Following this is the announcement of the opening of
three more facilities dedicated to the new technology in which President Obama is
sure that it will make an economical difference. It will open up whole new
opportunities in areas of mass customization as well as allowing businesses to
produce their own products in their own country. The cost to make anything using
this technology is cheap and its also extremely efficient. With the ability to now
produce our own products there will be less of a need to send production and job
prospects to eastern countries. This is an opportunistic moment for new graduates,
as it will create more jobs in design and manufacturing for the technologically
inclined young minds of today. The 3 dimensional printer will continue to boost our
economy in many different ways.

Technology has made everything accessible to people in the blink of an eye,
and therefore newer generations are excelling faster than previous ones. With so
many resources readily available its no surprise that a 3 dimensional printer was
created. The choices are endless when deciding what to make with this new
innovative technology, its only a matter of choosing to use it for the good of the
world. The 3D printer has become an important stage in the evolution of society. It
has opened new doors in biotechnology, art and economical development. Surgeons
can now proceed with accuracy during operations and art has taken on a new form
that younger generations can identify themselves with. The ability to produce in the
country at such fast and inexpensive levels will boost the economy as well. Only
better things to come are expected of the 3 dimensional printer but for now people
can enjoy its diverse and positive uses.




























Resources

1) Ungar, Laura. "Louisville Researcher, Stuart Williams, Ph.D., Is Closing in on
Printing 3-D Hearts - Cardiovascular Innovation Institute (CII)." Cardiovascular
Innovation Institute CII. The Courier-Journal, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
<http://cv2i.org/louisville-researcher-stuart-williams-ph-d-is-closing-in-on-
printing-3-d-hearts/>.

2) "Remarks by the President in the State of the Union Address." The White
House. The White House, 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/12/remarks-president-
state-union-address>.

Washington University in St. Louis. "3-D printer creates transformative
device for heart treatment." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 February 2014. Web. 13
Apr. 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140225122223.htm>.

Morris, Lara. "Electronic Engineering Journal." EE Journal. Techfocous Media,
22 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. <http://www.eejournal.com/archives/fresh-
bytes/this-is-how-you-turn-obamas-speech-about-3d-printing-into-a-3d-p/>.