Apr. 25, 2015 | By Simon
It’s no secret that virtual reality is among one of the hottest conversations in tech circles right now. Whether the application is for more immersive product presentations and demos or to just simply provide a more engaging entertainment experience with movies and videogames, the technology is sure to be a game changer as it gains in popularity and the costs of using the technology come down. Among other unusual applications however, is the ability to explore microscopic surfaces as if you were navigating them in the real-world.
Last time we heard from Nanotronics Imaging, the company had just developed a computer-controlled microscope that was made through the use of additive manufacturing. The company’s nSPEC 3D featured high-quality optical lenses that, among other features, included custom 3D printed hardware and an AI integration that was capable of capturing nanoscale 3D images with a single mouse click or gesture.
The company, which was founded by a father and son in 2008, is a high-tech, cutting edge microscopy and software company that focuses on delivering rapid testing and analysis solutions to a wide range of science-based fields including material science, medicine, life science and semiconductor manufacturing.
Over the past six months, the company has been busy further developing their technology and has finally unveiled what they are calling nVisible. nVisible is a virtual reality experience that lets anybody walk through a three-dimensional visualization of a microscopic landscape using a virtual reality display. The experience works through a close integration with their 3D printed nSpec microscope, which is able to create a three-dimensional virtual world based on an image provided by a slide.
In order to create a three-dimensional landscape, the 3D printed nSpec gathers light information from across multiple angles and then uses that information to map coordinates for creating a physical atmosphere.
The technology - which currently costs $40,000-$70,000 for the 3D printed microscope alone - would allow medical professionals, scientists and others who regularly use microscopes in their work to explore microscopic images in an immersive environment in an effort to better understand what they are seeing. Considering that nanoscale technologies are said to be the future, this could have a drastic impact and how quickly ideas can be iterated and improved upon into working concepts.
Although the price is certainly off-putting for a casual hobbyist, Nanotronics Imaging has stated that they’re hoping to bring the cost down for a similar experience that costs no more than $100. Additionally, the system will be able to work with existing virtual reality.
The technology made its debut at the TriBeca Disruptive Innovation Awards in New York on April 24th, and will also be presented at the Village Fête in Brooklyn on May 3.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- Charge your iPhone 5 with Apple's Universal Dock and 3D printed adapter
- Mini project 3D printed Forever Alone statues makes $2,000 in profit
- 3D print a super cool ultra futuristic Modular Snap-Fit Airship
- US army engineers uses 3D printers to build dam models
- ESA works with Forster + Partners to build moon base using 3D printer
- First step of 3D printed hexapod robot Bleuette
- Backstage interview: How 3D printed dress were created
- Reproduce your 3D acient figure with ANOMALIZMO and 3D printer
- NSWC Carderock created first ship model using a 3D printer
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
