5 Things Science Hasn't Proven

Despite my ardent belief that Science will one day be the solution to everything, it is still in its infancy. So, here are five important things that scientists have barely scratched the surface of.

Building a space shuttle? Just add water!

4D printing, that's a thing, right? I'm sure you have heard of 3D printing: printing objects that have breadth, length and height. Now, scientists at MIT have invented a printer which final product has an added time parameter to it! So the answer to the first question is, YES!

Image from http://washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2013/05/01/what-you-may-not-know-about-4d-printing/

What does that mean exactly? It means that the final product is not the first thing that is printed. Instead, after printing the basic structure of the desired product, it starts to fold into the final one. This is done by using two polymers that react differently with water, causing the structure to fold in a specific way after making precise mathematical calculations.

However, the concept is still in its early stages. Currently, the printed model can only fold in one direction and the final product is fixed after the folding is completed. What the team wants to achieve is a final product that can continue to change itself and react even after it is 'complete'. Furthermore, the folding of the initial form is still quite unpredictable and tends to form spirals. At the moment, all the scientists are able to print is an MIT logo and a cube.

Nevertheless, this is still an exciting new field with virtually limitless prospects. For example, many everyday objects can be printed using this technology and can eliminate the need to build things like furniture. Also, people who own this printer can order blueprints from companies for their desired objects and print them at home, without leaving the comfort of their seat. This device has extraterrestrial applications too, such as building an entire space lab or shuttle in space!

PS: Watch the video here: http://video.mit.edu/watch/4d-printing-mit-self-folding-strand-13803/