How to make a tiny Ornithopter? Print it in 3D

An ornithopter with a mass of 3.89g has been constructed using the 3D printing technique and has demonstrated an 85-second passively stable untethered hovering flight. This flight exhibits the functional utility of printed materials for flapping wing experimentation and ornithopter construction and for understanding the mechanical principles underlying insect flight and control.

http://ccsl.mae.cornell.edu/ornithopter

Does this count as 3D Printing?

The range of technologies, techniques and approaches that are being described as 3D Printing continues to expand. Here, a "3D printer" uses living cells to produce a human kidney.

http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/archives/2011/03/3d-printer.html

"Researchers at the institute have developed a technique and equipment for printing transplantable organs. The seven-hour process begins with collecting 3-D images of the organ that needs to be replaced. Next, a small tissue sample is taken from the patient and used to seed a specially-designed printer. The printer then replicates the tissue layer by layer to create a new organ"

Play the video at TED here
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/1088

Would you ride a 3D Printed Bike?

The European Areospace and Defence group (EADS) has shown off the first bike made from nylon – which they’re saying could replace traditional steel and aluminium bikes due to the affordable method it’s created. Drip by drop, each part of the bike is made from powder using the Additive Layer Manufacturing process of 3D printing, with the machine connected to a computer loaded with the CAD bike design.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/03/3d-printed-airbike-is-as-strong-as-your-aluminium-bike/

Video: The Kinect has become a Camera for 3D Printers

http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/02/28/video-the-kinect-has-become-a-camera-for-3d-printers/

"Here's one of the more unique uses of Microsoft's Kinect. A project called Fabricate Yourself turns the Kinect into a 3D printer of sorts. Well, a 3D modeler for a 3D printer. You'd best follow along with the video. The gist is that the Kinect takes 3D photos of whatever (in the video, it’s of enthusiastic young people), then the images are converted to the relevant file format, then passed off to a Dimension 3D printer."