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Technology

Make your own drugs with a 3D printer

By Katharine Sanderson

17 April 2012


Video: 3D-printed chemistry

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

First, print your equipment

(Image: Cronin Laboratories)

How to print your own chemicals

How to print your own chemicals

Editorial:Chemical 3D printing takes apps beyond the digital

Computers used to be just for programmers, but these days most people own at least one. Now a similar revolution in access to drugs and other chemicals could be on the cards.

A team of researchers led by chemist Lee Cronin at the University of Glasgow, UK, has made a selection of chemicals using a digital blueprint and a 3D printer costing $2000. The printer prints the lab equipment and then squirts the ingredients…

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