The concept of 3D printing is not new. The technology has been around for more than three decades. However its evolution through this time has been nothing short of spectacular.The different kinds of materials that can be used in the process have made it an extremely versatile as well as useful technique.

Researchers at Princeton University have printed a bionic ear using silicone and chodrocytes. This could work better than a cochlear implant. NASA is using a partially 3D printed space suit in its simulators to test a new design for a portable life support system.

Archeologists using CT scans have printed out a life sized replica of King Tutankhamun. It was later fleshed out and painted to resemble the actual body. They even made a model of a 1.9 million year old homo habilis skull using polymer resin. In fact you can actually download  files to print 3D fossils from africanfossils.org.

There is actually unlimited potential in 3D printing, as an architect in Amsterdam trying to print a canal house with 13 rooms is proving. The home will be developed using a specially developed bio-plastic compound that is composed primarily of vegetable oil. This three year long science project will surely test 3D printing to its limits.