Anything can be 3D printed. That may sound like an exaggeration, but it’s really not. Even the intangible, like light and sound, can be modeled in 3D. Scientists have been using the technology to see and understand things that they couldn’t previously; because of 3D printing’s ability to create perfect replicas of objects and scale them up or down, things as large as comets or as microscopic as pollen particles can be held in the hand. Now a researcher at the University of California Riverside is using 3D printing to study nothing less than the universe itself.
Miguel Aragón-Calvo, a visiting assistant researcher in the university’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been studying the formation of the universe for a long time. Currently, he is trying to understand galaxies and their place in the “cosmic web,” which he describes in terms that sound oddly familiar if you’ve spent any time with a 3D printer.
“Galaxies are not isolated objects,” he says. “They are connected through filaments of gas and matter. This gas is injected inside the galaxies through filaments. We see these galaxies forming stars very early. They are forming many stars. And then suddenly, they stop forming the stars. But we don’t know how this happens exactly. I want to identify structures in time.”
He had been studying these structures using computer simulations, but found that even sophisticated computer technology was insufficient to give him a proper feel for the structures of galaxies and other cosmic objects. So he began 3D printing his 2D simulations, assigning the third dimension to time, which resulted in some very interesting discoveries. For example, one 3D printed galaxy formed a sphere, in which Aragón-Calvo could see filaments twisting as they entered, something he hadn’t been able to see before.
“These problems in cosmology are very difficult to visualize, even using computer graphics,” he says. “By 3D-printing them I am able to interact directly with the models and ‘see’ the problem at once. In some cases this results in ‘eureka’ moments. Tridimensional cosmic structures can be easily identified and tracked as four-dimensional objects where time is taken as another spatial variable. Even though I had visualized the cosmic web many times before in the computer screen, the solution only became obvious once I held the model in my hand.”
He describes the process as “almost magical,” and it’s hard to disagree. A 3D map of the universe that can be held in the hand allows us to, in a sense, stand outside of our vast surroundings and look inside. How often have you looked up at the Milky Way and admired its beauty, without thinking about its size and position in relation to surrounding objects and galaxies? With a 3D model, it’s suddenly much easier to understand how the elements of the universe interact.
“I often ‘play’ with 3D models of galaxies in their early stages in order to get new ideas on how gas gets injected into them to produce stars,” Aragón-Calvo said. “This has been very helpful in developing a model of galaxy formation that I will soon submit to a peer-reviewed journal.”
Not only has Aragón-Calvo 3D printed the galaxies, he has also, in a way, 3D printed the most intangible thing of all: time. While the aerospace industry is preparing to send people farther into space than ever before, it’s humbling to realize how much about the origins of the universe can be discovered from right here on Earth.
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
You May Also Like
Analyzing True Sustainability in 3D Printing
Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the production landscape, enabling unprecedented levels of customization and complex design. However, with its rise, the focus on sustainability within AM has become essential. This...
Xometry Launches Dashboard Collaboration Tool for 3D Printing
3D printing platform Xometry (Nasdaq: XTMR) is expanding its focus on software to deliver added value for clients. A newly introduced order management dashboard aims to provide greater visibility across...
3D Printing Webinar and Event Roundup: July 23, 2023
This week’s webinar and event roundup is a little lighter, but there are still plenty of 3D printing offerings! Stratasys continues its U.S. tour, Markforged offers two more Demo Days,...
Xometry Bolsters AI Features Amid CEO Poll Indicating Rapid Adoption
AI-powered marketplace Xometry (Nasdaq: XMTR) announced today that it will extend its Xometry Instant Quoting Engine to include instant quoting of inserts, multi-part assemblies, and an expanded range of sheet-cutting...