We admired NASA for finding novel (and sometimes gross) ways to use 3D printing, commemorated the 3D printer that started it all, and celebrated advances in a (very good, very bloodless) arms race, all this week in 3D printing.<\/p>\n
Astronauts will need a lot of plastic to make sure their 3D printers have the filament to fill gaps in their supplies during long missions. The thing about going to space (or to another planet) is that you have to bring everything with you, whether you’re making vitamins or plastic tools. Enter the almighty power of urine. Yes, as it turns out, blending urine with yeast can produce plastic (and the omega 3 fatty acids we need to stay healthy). For more on how this works, read the full rundown at Futurism<\/a>, and check out the video below. At some point, we’re going to have to stop calling it waste.<\/p>\n