06/25/2013
For geeks, because we all have carpal tunnel syndrome, right?
What happens when you combine the best of nature with the best of 3-D printing? The best of biomimicry!
For example, this supportive glove is designed to alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome. The user can create a personalized "pain map," that indicates where the glove needs to be more flexible or rigid. The 3D printing process translates this map into an object where the material is thicker and more protective or thinner to be flexible and soft.
Neri Oxman, director of the Mediated Matter, and her team have made prototypes of body armor, supportive corsets and fantastical helmets. These protective garments are partly inspired by skin. For example, the skin on our faces is thin and serves as a filter, whereas the skin on our backs is much thicker and acts as a barrier. They presented some of their creations at the Biomimicry 3.8 7th Annual Education Summit and first Global Summit.
Read more via TreeHugger >> http://bit.ly/12euUX8