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The Future of 3D Printing and Healthcare

When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as  airplane  and  automobile parts  to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in  the 1980s  as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and  patient-specific models  to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
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Wearable Electronics Powered by Plastics

Woman with a wearable plastic electronic watch
One of today’s hottest electronic products is the activity tracker—watches, bands, clips, and other gadgets that count and report on your daily physical activity, from heart rate to sleep patterns to the number of steps taken per day.
These devices help spur health-conscious athletes or weekend warriors to stay active. But there’s a catch to all this mobility: the device probably will take a licking.
Accidents happen, right? If you work out in a club or gym, you eventually will bang your tracker against fitness equipment. If you’re exercising outdoors, you may run into nasty weather or even take a tumble.
Protecting your pricey electronics from wear and tear is one of the key reasons why many wearable activity trackers are made with plastics. Plastics bring a wide range of benefits to wearables, such as:
  • Durability: Plastics are a great choice for wearable electronics because they’re durable and long lasting. Plastics add the other meaning of “wear” to wearables.
  • Scratch resistance: Plastics are highly scratch resistant, which is helpful since wearables often get scraped and scuffed during the course of everyday activity.
  • Flexibility: Want to try a tricky new yoga position? Many trackers made with plastics will move with you.
  • Lightweight: Wearables made with lightweight plastics can feel almost like wearing nothing at all—many people say they forget that they’re wearing anything, which leads to the next benefit …
  • Resistant to water: Oops, forgot to take off the tracker when stepping into the shower? Many wearables made with plastics are water resistant, and some can even be submerged in water, according to the manufacturers.
Wearable devices may feel like a fad, but Citigroup analysts predict that “a wearables market that includes sport fitness bands, watches, and apparel” could become worth $30 billion annually. As wearable technology grows in popularity, plastics likely will continue to fuel innovations in these high tech, lightweight, durable devices.

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The Future of 3D Printing and Healthcare

When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as  airplane  and  automobile parts  to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in  the 1980s  as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and  patient-specific models  to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
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