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Friday, Jan 4, 2013 11:58 PM UTC

Weirdest 3-D printed objects ever

From Thomas Jefferson's bust to bikinis for your bust, a slideshow of the weirdest 3-D replicas around SLIDE SHOW

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Topics: slideshow, technology, Science, weird science, Health, tech, , ,

Weirdest 3-D printed objects ever (Credit: Continuum)

We already told you that 3-D printed organs are coming — eventually. What we didn’t tell you is there’s a whole host of other strange, printable stuff out there, too. From Thomas Jefferson’s bust to bikinis for your bust, here is a slideshow of the weirdest 3-D replicas around.

3D printing slideshow

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  • Organs

    TED Talks aren't always meandering reflections on the meaning of life -- sometimes they are about printable organs! Here, surgeon Anthony Atala demonstrates how a 3-D printer can use living cells to output a transplantable kidney. The future is looking weird, people!

    (via TED Talks)

  • Burritos

    Why run for the border when you can run to the printer? The Burritob0t can print you one with beans, sour cream, salsa, guacamole -- you name it.

    (via Burritob0t)

  • Bikinis

    The techies over at Continuum have used layered microscopic nylon particles in an interlocking circle pattern to produce a wearable (and pretty!) bikini. It's the perfect suit for the geeky gal who wants to work on her tan.

    (via Continuum)

  • Meat

    Backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel, tech startup Modern Meadow is currently prototyping protein-exact replicas of meat. Whether or not anyone will eat printable meat remains to be seen.

    (viaFlickr Commons)

  • The Smithsonian's entire collection

    Do you know where history meets the future? At the Smithsonian Institute's 3-D printing lab. You might not be able to own an original bust of Thomas Jefferson, but now you can have a exact replica!

    (via the Smithsonian Institute)

  • Guns

    According to tech site Mandatory, the only printed -- and functional -- gun ever made came from a gunsmith known only as HaveBlue, who produced a working AR-15 lower receiver. Cool -- but scary.

    (via Shutterstock)

  • Prosthetic limbs

    San Francisco-based Bespoke Innovations can print you a sturdy -- and beautiful -- prosthetic limb. According to their website, the limbs are printed to "express personality and individuality never before possible."

    (via Bespoke Innovations)

  • Sex toys

    For those too shy to buy their sex toys the old fashioned way, you can now print them in the comfort -- and privacy! -- of your own home. The amorous techies over at Makerlove are providing free sex toy designs that you can print on a Maker 3-D printer. Isn't that nice of them?

    (via Makerlove)

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Katie McDonough is an assistant editor for Salon, focusing on lifestyle. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com. More Katie Mcdonough.

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