During his PhD in Evolutionary Robotics, Siavash Mahdavi developed software that was able to design complex lattice structures which could be manufactured through additive manufacturing (more commonly known as 3D Printing). He established Within Technologies, a software house that specialises in the development of software for the medical and aerospace industries in 2008.

2012 may be the year of 3D printing, when this three-decade-old technology finally becomes accessible and even commonplace. Lisa Harouni gives a useful introduction to this fascinating way of making things -- including intricate objects once impossible to create.

Klaus Stadlmann majored 2008 in industrial engineering at the TU Vienna. His degree thesis: "the development of an orthosis used in the supporting and measuring of a torque path of the ankle during rehabilitation" received special honors. At the moment he is finishing his pre-doc in technical sciences at Vienna's Technical University's Institute of Material Sciences and Technologies. Under the supervision of Prof. Stampfl he is involved in a working group concerned with the manufacturing of optical fibers.

Objet spoke about a number of new advanced 3D printing materials at EuroMold 2010 including a new ABS-like material with the strength and toughness of engineering plastics, and a new clear transparent material for simulating PMMA in glass-like applications. Both materials were released in early 2011.

3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. 3D printers offer product developers the ability to print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process. Advanced 3D printing technologies yield models that can serve as product prototypes.

The Objet260 Connex is an affordable, compact version of Objet's pioneering line of multi-material 3D printers. It enables designers and engineers to rapidly build prototypes to simulate their intended end-product closer than any other technology.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Dan Barry on Robotics & 3D Printing at Futuremed. FutureMed 2011: How will rapidly developing technologies such as the low cost genomic sequencing, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, robotics, 24/7 body wearable monitors, smart pills, stem cells, synthetic biology, gene therapy, mobile phone Apps and crowd sourced health data affect the future.

Surgeon Anthony Atala demonstrates an early-stage experiment that could someday solve the organ-donor problem: a 3D printer that uses living cells to output a transplantable kidney. Using similar technology, Dr. Atala's young patient Luke Massella received an engineered bladder 10 years ago; we meet him onstage.

Scott Summit explains the current state and future potential of 3D printing (also known as rapid prototyping) technology.