02/12/2022

FAPERJ highlights 3D printing project

Jorge Lopes, the technological project coordinator at IMPA, brought the first 3D printing machine to Brazil in 1997, imported from the United States. Recently recognized with the medal of merit from the National Institute of Technology (INT) for his contribution, Lopes has been applying 3D printing in various areas of science. An article on the FAPERJ website highlights the importance of 3D work, which can solve problems in diverse fields.

The article by reporter Paula Guatimosim demonstrates the important role of technology, considered one of the essential elements in the so-called 4th Industrial Revolution. Printing allows the construction of forms that would be unfeasible using other production techniques and can be applied in areas such as paleontology, Egyptology, engineering, and medicine.

At IMPA, Lopes conducts research on the 3D environment and the metaverse in partnership with Luiz Velho, lead researcher at Visgraf (IMPA's Computer Graphics Laboratory). By integrating virtual and augmented realities, it is possible to visualize and manipulate objects in high resolution, such as the results of an examination between doctors from different locations.

Projeto representa órgãos do corpo humano em 3D no metaverso

Another important project carried out by the coordinator in conjunction with Visgraf enabled the preservation of the cultural heritage of the National Museum/UFRJ. Supported by a grant from FAPERJ, Visgraf scanned and performed tomographic scans of the museum's collections, allowing for the 3D printing of replicas of some pieces lost in the 2018 fire. Paleontologist and coordinator of the Digital Image Processing Laboratory (Lapid), Sergio Azevedo, and Egyptologist Antônio Brancaglion collaborated on the initiative.

In an interview for this report, Lopes spoke about the importance of transdisciplinarity and the union of diverse skills for scientific progress. "We are always adapting and bringing in new technologies to support the development of science," he said.

The article also covers topics such as bioprinting, which uses cells and biological materials in the 3D printing of tissues and organs, and the work of the Biodesign Laboratory, conceived between the DASA group and PUC-Rio.

Check out the full article on the FAPERJ website.