Two possible paths for 3D printing to evolve along are the idea of artificially assembling smaller and smaller parts, faster and faster. With that, you ultimately arrive at the ability to digitally assemble molecules and atoms to create anything, just like a Replicator in Star Trek. The other is to simply do away with the 3D printer and guide objects to additively assemble themselves, just like nature does.
Scientists at Virginia Tech may have achieved a major breakthrough on the latter path, by 3D printing fiber in certain shapes directly through protein self-assembly, without using an extruder.
Their work holds the possibility to genetically manufacture anything from clothing and parachutes to body panels and armor, and even something that could rival Spider-Man’s web fibers in strength.
Like many discoveries, it happened almost by chance. After cutting out a section of gluten protein, the team later found that a series of fibers had formed in the beaker. This created a base for an object encoded entirely at the genetic level. The result was that the fibers had self assembled from the gluten, and approached the quality of spider silk, something scientists have been trying to replicate for years.
Since fibers are natural building blocks, they could be led to organize themselves into larger, digitally-designed, structures, like 3D printed clothes with natural fibers, rather than technopolymers. These clothes could be stronger and possess a number of pre-programmed qualities. They may even be able to yield something like a “Fiber-Man” suit. I can see the writers over at Marvel scrambling as we speak…
