Five odd things 3-D printers can make

Photo provided to China Daily

1. Miniatures of porn stars: Besides sex toys, 3-D printing technology can also be used to make customized miniature porn stars. Eroticart-shop, a Berlin-based online store founded in 2014, is among the first to provide such services for loyal fans of porn stars. As of January, the company had signed 10 adult film stars, all of whom were 3-D scanned, naked or dressed up as kittens, samurais or video game characters. The miniature models are available in several different sizes, and they range in price from 49 to 399 euros ($54 to $440).

2. Unborn child: Many would-be parents like to keep an ultrasound image of their unborn child. Now, with 3-D printing technology, parents can make a miniature model of their unborn baby. Many companies around the world offer such services. Estonian company Wolfprint 3D can print full-color miniature models of unborn babies. All you need to do is upload an ultrasound image of your unborn baby, and Wolfprint 3D will do the rest. The materials available include plastic, gypsum, metal and wax. The charge for a model ranges from 200 to 300 euros.

3. Prehistoric animals: Paleontologists are studying the ways dinosaurs moved through 3-D printed miniature dinosaur skeletons. The skeletons are printed using real 3-D scans of dinosaur bones. Artificial muscles and tendons are added to the skeletons, allow the miniature dinosaurs to move.

4. Dead people: Scientists at Loughborough University in the UK have printed a full plastic 3-D replica of the skeleton of King Richard III, who died in 1485. The British royal is not alone. King Tut, the young pharaoh who has been mummified since 1323 BC, has also had a full plastic 3-D replica of his skeleton printed.

5. Pizza: NASA reportedly spent $125,000 to develop a 3-D printer that will print pizza for astronauts making long-distance spaceflights in future missions. Additive materials include various kinds of powder that contain carbohydrates, protein and vitamins. The powder is dehydrated so as to extend the expiration date. Pizza is a good choice for 3-D food printing technology because the ingredients can be added layer by layer. The first layer of a 3-D-printed pizza is a mixture of flour and water. It is then laid on heated iron plate. The second layer is a mixture of tomato powder and oil. The last layer is protein.