Looking further forward, we could see the creation of micro-robotic systems designed to carry out repairs, deliver drugs or even repair cell structures within our bodies. At the other end of the spectrum there are massive, as-yet unexplored applications such as the large-scale 3D printing of structures for transport and housing. One of the key UK funding bodies, EPSRC, continues to support blue-sky research in these areas. One day they will become a reality.

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