Cutting Edge

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) students can now look forward to utilizing the new state-of-the-art 3D printer in the Preston Smith Library of the Health Sciences. The printer, which will begin processing student and other projects in December, will be a great resource said TTUHSC Student Government Association Vice President of Communications Monish Makena.

“3D printing technology has a wide range of applications in biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine,” Makena said. “It helps medical professionals at TTUHSC to create affordable prosthetic devices, small organ models and other innovative uses. The 3D printer is cutting-edge technology to have at our TTUHSC library and the student body is excited about it.”

The library plans to charge a nominal fee for the use of the printer to cover the cost of the printing material, a type of liquid plastic. The printer, which was provided by a grant from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to improve the student learning experience, can print most objects in a matter of minutes or hours.

The 3D printing technology is quickly gaining popularity in health care. In fact, the National Institutes of Health recently created its own 3D Print Exchange in order to increase the availability of 3D print files for science and biomedical students and professionals. The new printer at the Preston Smith Library of the Health Sciences will allow TTUHSC to keep up in the evolving application of the technology in research.

For more information about the new 3D printer, contact Stephanie Shippey at Stephanie.Shippey@ttuhsc.edu.