Explore the opportunities and challenges offered by one of the following technological developments discussed in this module - 3D printing, solar energy and solar cells, nanoparticles, big-data information gathering/processing, genetically modified crops/organisms or nuclear power. Consider technological capability, societal implications, and potential progress traps that might arise with rapid growth of this technology and make a summary judgement whether, in light of both the benefits and the likely costs and compromises, the development of such a technology should be pursued or, considering the uncertainties, if there is a case for a ‘progress experiment’ – in which case, which side of those experiments NZ should be on?

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Topic: Explore the opportunities and challenges offered by one of the following technological developments discussed in this module: 3D printing, solar energy and solar cells, nanoparticles, big-data information gathering/processing, genetically modified crops/organisms or nuclear power. Consider technological capability, societal implications, and potential progress traps that might arise with rapid growth of this technology and make a summary judgement whether, in light of both the benefits and the likely costs and compromises, the development of such a technology should be pursued or, considering the uncertainties, if there is a case for a ‘progress experiment’ – in which case, which side of those experiments NZ should be on?

Lecturer’s Name: Uli Zuelicke, Elf Eldridge & Nick Agar

Date: 9th Feburary, 2015

Word Count: 1126

The questions are involved in this topic:

  1. What is the science under discussion?

For this topic, I want to talk about 3D printing technology. The 3D printing technology involved in the following scientific areas: sociology, psychology, functional biology, physics and mathematics. The reason for sociology involved in this topic is because we need consider law, ethics and economics issues associated with 3D printing technology. For example, is the 3D printing is legal to everyone, and what problems with 3D printing development? Secondly, the psychology involved in this topic is because we want to know why 3D printing become more and more popular. Next, like Eldridge (2014) shows that there has been a possibility that people can print out body tissue through a 3D printer. As a result, the functional biology is involved in this topic, because there still have problem associated with body tissue printing. For example, did printable body tissue have rejection on human body? In addition, the physics is involved in this topic is because the materials we used in 3D printing technology, such as metal, plastic and ceramics. And also, different 3D printer has different 3D printing function. Finally, the mathematics, the software designed for 3D printing, such as FreeCAD that I used when I doing ENGR 101, and also have Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, Maya, Rhine3D, etc. Some of software are very easy to use, but some of is hard to handle for beginner. So the question is can we design the product without using software, or can computer understand what we are thinking, like mind reader.

  1. Where does the motivation come from to carry out this research?

Love (2013) indicated that as a DIY-er, the 3D printing technology will assist you a lot. The reason is they can make any piece of the tool that they want, and they do not have to find the tool from a local tool shop or online shop. Especially, if they make a product that very unique if compare with the commercial product. Another possible use for DIY-er is furniture repair, if one part of furniture was broken, they just need to use 3D scanner to scanner the broken part, and then using software to fix it. Finally, using 3D printer prints out the part that they want to fix it. Kuneinen (2013) shows an example that people using 3D printing technology to fix the missing clips on IEKA PULT Ceiling Lamp. So 3D printing technology is extremely helpful to DIY-er or thinker. Furthermore, the 3D printing technology could be helpful in the education area. One of the article “Importance of 3D printing in Education” (2014) shows that the 3D printing technology could benefit to education, for example, teachers can use 3-dimensional models to help student learns architecture, engineering or arts (http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/03/importance-of-3d-printing-in-education.html). For instance, this is might to help students to find out the structure of the building or engineering principle.

  1. How is the research carried out?

Victoria University of Wellington’s Design School recently launched a programme that is to find out what human can be done with 3D printing technology. The article also said using recyclable plastic material to melt it into a 3D printer which the material is suitable use in printer (http://www.victoria.ac.nz/research/expertise/architecture-design/3d-printing). Wheeler (2015) indicated that the molecular biologist in California, USA recently using 3D-printed models to find out how HIV working and how HIV acting in our human body. Nowadays, Choi (2014) shows that researchers using 4D printing technology to print out dynamic 3D structures which it can change their shapes at any time.

  1. Who are the different ‘voices’ related to this topic; who can be trusted and why?

Well, there are two sides to everything. Gilpin (2014) shows that there have ten disadvantages come with 3D printing technology. 1) 3D printers use more power than normal machine; 2) 3D printers can release unhealthy gas; 3) consume more plastic, not environmental friendly; 4) copyright problem; 5) plastic gun problem; 6) 3D printer manufacturer responsibility to everyone; 7) “bioprinting” issue; 8) 3D print drugs problem; 9) security problem; 10) safety problem with food. In addition, the news article “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of 3D Printing” (2014) shows that the world’s first 3D printable gun was released by DefenSe Distributed, which they try to put their 3D gun blueprints on Internet (http://www.labmate-online.com/news/news-and-views/5/breaking_news/the_good_the_bad_the_ugly_of_3d_printing/31720/). That is very dangerous to normal people, criminal can use 3D printer to print out the plastic gun and plastic bullet to shoot people, even pass the airport security check.

  1. What is the social and political context of this science?

The most important issue drives this science topic is that social security problem. The 3D printable plastic gun is the most popular issue to let people think the new technology could probably impact our normal life. Neal (2013) suggested that the security department should do a background check before someone buying 3D printer from a shop or online store. And also the serial number and registration should be recorded in the national security system. Zurcher (2014) shows that the larger issue come with 3D printing technology is that responsibility. If people killed or hurt by someone, are the responsible of the printer owner, the manufacturer of 3D printer, or the person give the idea to produce such product.

  1. What issues exist around communication of this science?

As we talked before, the issues that come with 3D printing technology are from different areas, such as economy and society. If the 3D printing technology becomes more and more popular in the future, the labour will lose their job, because people can produce the product themselves without buying from shop. So the demand of the product will decrease, and the demand of labour will decrease too. Another issue is a society problem when 3D printer becomes cheaper and cheaper, the price of 3D printer is affordable to normal people, people can print anything that they want have. It will not surprise people can print out airplane, rocket or missile as long as they got the model blueprint.

  1. Considering all of the above, what is your conclusion about the question posed in the essay title?

To sum up, the cost of 3D printer is become lower and lower, ultimately, everyone can afford a home-use 3D printer, like a normal printer we used today. The pace of 3D printing technology development should not just stop because of some of the problems around it. There is no such law or act applied to 3D printing technology in New Zealand. In the future, scientist probably could develop a 3D printer that can automatically print the owner ID on the printable product. So that people can identify the owner of the product, and also other people cannot use this product because it not approved by the owner.

  1. References

Zuelicke, U. (2014). Lecture notes 1~2. Retrieved from Victoria University of Wellington – SCIE 211 – M5 Blackboard.

Eldridge, E. (2014). Lecture notes 3~5. Retrieved from Victoria University of Wellington – SCIE 211 – M5 Blackboard.

Agar, N. (2014). Lecture notes 6~7. Retrieved from Victoria University of Wellington – SCIE 211 – M5 Blackboard.

Kuneinen, E. (2013). 3D Printing – Endless Motivation for Sharing. Retrieved from http://3dprintingindustry.com/2013/03/20/3d-printing-endless-motivation-for-sharing/

Love, D. (2013). Why You Should Care About 3D Printing. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com.au/why-does-3d-printing-matter-2013-1

Wheeker, A. (2015). 3D Printed Molecule Models to Aid Medical Research. Retrieved from http://3dprintingindustry.com/2015/01/06/3d-printed-molecule-medical/

Choi, C.Q. (2014). ‘4D Printing’ Makes Shape-Shifting Structures. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/49185-4d-printing-shape-shifting-structures.html

Gilpin, L. (2014). The dark side of 3D printing: 10 things to watch. Retrieved from http://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-dark-side-of-3d-printing-10-things-to-watch/

Neal, R.W. (2013). 3D Printer Regulation Proposed: Democrats Fear Criminals Printing Guns. Retrieved from http://www.ibtimes.com/3d-printer-regulation-proposed-democrats-fear-criminals-printing-guns-1254537

Zurcher, A. (2014). The disruptive power of 3D printing. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-26755692

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