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How Dr. Drummond created these ancient 3D-printed metal Trilobites

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Over the past few years, we’ve seen 3D printing evolve in a big way and prove itself an invaluable resource for engineers. It’s helped in building prosthetics, instruments, drones, and plenty more besides, but in the hands of creatives, this infinitely hackable tech has allowed for the creation of some truly unbelievable art. The latest artist to unlock the potential of the medium is University of Chicago assistant professor Dr. Allan Drummond (of The Drummond Lab), who has used it to resurrect some ancient beasts.

A biochemistry and human genetics researcher has recreated some ancient beasts using incredible 3D printing processes

A biochemistry and human genetics researcher, Drummond studies everything from how cells adapt, to the multi-million-year evolution of the species we share our planet with. His primary interest is in trilobites; the extinct arthropods that cruised the world’s oceans for some 270 million years. With over 17,000 known species, they are the most diverse group of animals preserved in the fossil record, so they were a natural fit for his project. In order to narrow down the options from the frankly intimidating 17,000, Drummond eliminated any trilobite groups with delicate spines that would easily break, as well as any that were too simple to print with extensive detail. He settled on Ceraurus, a genus that roamed the Earth in the middle to upper Ordovician, 470-445 million years ago.

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The next step was to draw the creature by hand, first in pencil, then in Inkscape, to provide guides for 3D modelling, which was done in Blender, something he describes as laborious, detail-oriented work that took many, many hours. The final result (as you’ll be able to see yourself through a casual perusal of this very article) is absolutely stunning. The model was printed using a form printer which works by using a laser to cure tiny dots of liquid plastic resin into solid form. Every part in the print had to be vigorously cut from its base, polished, and reassembled – first in plastic, then cast in steel, bronze, and eventually silver. Heavy metal or what!

Dr. Drummond drew the creature by hand, first in pencil, then in Inkscape, to provide guides for 3D modelling, which was done in Blender

Drummond said of his process: “We find their shells fossilized everywhere. They’re museum staples, but we rarely see what they really looked. The first step was to look at as many trilobites as possible and choose one. I’ve always loved these fossils, but the moment they turned from fossils, into living organisms for me, was when I saw the new generation of preparations displayed at the Chicago Field Museum. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. In my mind, trilobites were flat, if beautiful, primitive creatures. Seeing those preparations made it clear how not-flat and not-primitive they were. Ceraurus is ideal. They have long yet substantial genal (head) and pygidial (tail) spines, complex thoracic armour, gorgeous curves, unmistakable trilobite form. Enough detail to warrant 3D printing, enough structural solidity to survive it. Using liver of sulphur, a poorly understood quasi-alchemic brew, I oxidized these pieces, creating a patina, then polished the patina off of the raised parts.” And voila!

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They might not be perfect, but the models were accurate enough to impress noted palaeontologists like Dr. Glenn Brock. Of course, Drummond hasn’t finished with extinct trilobites wither (there are still thousands of species left after all). He also recently modelled a scarab beetle, and an incredibly detailed dividing yeast cell. Where his talents take him next is anybody’s guess, but chances are he won’t be wasting his talents on puppies and goldfish any time soon.

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