NASA Wants To Recycle 3D Prints In Space 
This year, NASA and Made In Space will be launching the world’s first zero-g 3D printer into space. NASA hopes it will enable on-demand tool and part creation in space, reducing the costs significantly. It currently costs anywhere from $10,000 US Dollars (USD) to $25,000 USD per kilogram ($4,500 to $11,000 USD per pound), to send a payload into space. The ability to print parts in space will also mean astronauts are less reliant on resupply missions from earth, an important aspect for long duration space missions such as a trip to Mars.
Each year, NASA invests approximately $130 million in technology development through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. Made In Space, the creators of the zero-g printer, have been selected for the second year running for project R3DO, ‘a recycling system for creating 3D printer filament in-orbit.’ They were awarded $125,000 USD.
The patent-pending process enables extrusion in microgravity and includes other innovations like, “filament use in microgravity, the low-power heating system, microgravity stabilization, material control, breaker plate migration, material-filter interactions, cooling characteristics, and safety mechanisms.”
Made In Space has already tested four different prototypes, and their final goal is to build a recycling machine that is capable of breaking down 6 x 12 x 6cm ABS plastic parts.
Zero G for 3D printer
NASA also awarded Made In Space another $125,000 for a new, hybrid plastic/metal printing process in a zero-g environment. “The process revolves around creating a polymeric part through additive manufacturing, leaving voids and trace capillaries. Once the polymer structures are completed, molten metal is injected into these trace capillaries, which create a path to the voids in the printed parts. Capillary forces cause the liquid metal to wick into the capillary channels, filling the voids before solidifying. Unlike competing metal additive manufacturing techniques, the parts can be created with 100% dense metal elements that have low surface roughness and are completely compatible with the surrounding polymer.”
Source: Made In Space
iMakr Store Begins Selling Asiga DLP 3D Printers 
iMakr, the world’s largest 3D printing store has began selling the Freefrom Pico and the Pico Plus 3D printers from Asiga. The two Asiga 3D printers utilize DLP (digital light processing) technology to print extremely high quality objects. Both printers are capable of printing objects at a layer height of 27 microns and an XY resolution of 39 microns. The Pico has a build volume of 30 x 40 x 76mm, while the Plus has a max build volume of 50 x 31.2 x 76mm. Unlike the majority of the RepRap machines at iMakr, the Asiga machines are intended for investment casting for metal jewelry, figurines and dental models.
About Asiga:
Asiga is a dedicated team of engineers, programmers and designers, pooling creativity and knowledge to develop remarkable tools for Digital Manufacturing industries. Starting with our first groundbreaking product, the Freeform Pico (“The World’s First Pico Printer”), we plan to bring a mix of innovative, intuitive tools to those who previously could not afford such technology.
Source: iMakr
Soon You Will Be Able To Get A Master’s In Bio-printing
Credit: QUT
In the near future Australian and European students will be given the opportunity to take a master’s degree that specializes in 3D printing human body parts. Four universities will be offering the course, including Queensland’s University of Technology (QUT) in Australia, University of Wollongong in Australia, University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands and the University of Würzburg in Germany.
Professor Dietmar W. Hutmacher, leader of QUT’s bio-fabrication research center said, “Graduates will be at the forefront of an industry that will always be in high demand given the ageing of populations around the world and which cannot be easily replicated by any other country.”
3D printers can be used to regrow a number of different tissues in the human body. The 3D printed tissue structures are then implanted into a patient and act as a scaffold for new tissue to grow. “Biofabrication can be used to repair cartilage, bone, muscles, nerves and skin that have been damaged by trauma, disease or cancer,” Hutmacher said.
Hutmacher believes it will be at least five years until 3D printing can be used to grow small body parts, and at least a decade until we can print fully functional organs that can be used in a patient.
The Government of Australia and the European Union have approved the masters degree and the course will be open to applicants later this year. Only ten students per university will be admitted into the course.
Credit: QUT
Source: QUT