3-D Printing Could Lead to Miniaturized Medical Implants, Compact Electronics, Tiny Robots - Polidicks

[quote]Three-dimensional printing can now be used to print lithium-ion microbatteries the size of a grain of sand. The printed microbatteries could supply electricity to tiny devices in fields from medicine to communications, including many that have lingered on lab benches for lack of a battery small enough to fit the device, yet provide enough stored energy to power them. [...] To get around this problem, manufacturers have traditionally deposited thin films of solid materials to build the electrodes. However, due to their ultrathin design, these solid-state micro-batteries do not pack sufficient energy to power tomorrow's miniaturized devices. The scientists realized they could pack more energy if they could create stacks of tightly interlaced, ultrathin electrodes that were built out of plane. For this they turned to 3-D printing. 3-D printers follow instructions from three-dimensional computer drawings, depositing successive layers of material -- inks -- to build a physical object from the ground up, much like stacking a deck of cards one at a time. The technique is used in a range of fields, from producing crowns in dental labs to rapid prototyping of aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods. Lewis' group has greatly expanded the capabilities of 3-D printing. They have designed a broad range of functional inks -- inks with useful chemical and electrical properties. And they have used those inks with their custom-built 3-D printers to create precise structures with the electronic, optical, mechanical, or biologically relevant properties they want.[/quote] [url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130618141443.htm[/url]

All I can think about is who will be the first to make the world's smallest penis

So pretty much, "compact electronics" will mean a thinner iPhone?

[QUOTE=HZ Yasmoni;41093878]So pretty much, "compact electronics" will mean a thinner iPhone?[/QUOTE] [URL=http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/05/insect-robots/]Better[/URL]

Maybe we could use 3D printing to print tiny 3D printers to print tiny things.

I'm really surprised at how fast we're advancing these new technologies. [QUOTE=DeEz;41093869]All I can think about is who will be the first to make the world's smallest penis[/QUOTE] I thought you were the breadwinner in that category [sp]Sorry, you made it too easy.[/sp]

if you know anything about additive manufacturing, this is hardly news

Sure, now give it 20 years to reach any consumer device.

Super-tiny batteries for tiny chips? Sounds like it could be handy for human augmentation.

[QUOTE=ironman17;41096694]Super-tiny batteries for tiny chips? Sounds like it could be handy for human augmentation.[/QUOTE] deus ex joke

[QUOTE=DeEz;41093869]All I can think about is who will be the first to make the world's smallest penis[/QUOTE] You don't need one if you already have one, strictly applies to some, having a big one is overrated anyway, it's god damn painful to carry that junk.

thank god, [t]http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/ATS5DveNd2E/maxresdefault.jpg[/t] these tiny arms need a tiny violin to play

The world will be taken over by tiny robots. Mark my words.

[QUOTE=Sableye;41096786]thank god, these tiny arms need a tiny violin to play[/QUOTE] Not a violin, [url=http://news.cornell.edu/stories/1997/07/worlds-smallest-silicon-mechanical-devices-are-made-cornell]but they've already made a nanoguitar[/url].

At the risk of sounding a tad MGS. OMG NANOMACHINES! Still though, awesome news.