Since our bodies still move even when we do our best to hold still, a series of markers must first be placed on the skin in order to keep the printer in alignment. The skin is then scanned with a 3-D scanner, and the printer uses computer vision to keep on track while printing.
“We are excited about the potential of this new 3-D-printing technology using a portable, lightweight printer costing less than $400,” said Michael McAlpine, the University of Minnesota professor who led the project. “We imagine that a soldier could pull this printer out of a backpack and print a chemical sensor or other electronics they need directly on the skin. It would be like a 'Swiss Army knife' of the future with everything they need all in one portable 3-D-printing tool."