Applications for advanced 3D imaging, modelling, and printing techniques for the biological sciences

Abstract

Many zoological activities, including scientific expeditions, or in educational settings, necessitate disruptive removal of specimens from their natural environment. The Anthropogenic Effect theory present by Courchamp clearly indicates the unsustainability of current practices, with dramatic changes necessary for the wellbeing and sustainability of our ecosystems. For both public, and academic, education and research, there is a clear link between increasing rarity and access limitation for certain specimens, leading to the decrease in both public awareness and capability for education and research. From this research's prospective, an idealized situation is where fully digital specimens can be created to represent 3D geometry, visual textures, mechanical properties and specimen functionality, allowing for exact replicas to be generated from this digital specimen when required. Combining this with the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality can satisfy the educational and research needs but also the sustainability of our ecosystems. The aim of this paper is to explore the potential use of combinations of emerging technologies such as 3D scanning alongside various 3D printing and virtual reality techniques to fulfil the goals outlined previously. Examination of the 3D modelling process and how these models can be enhanced for educational proposes will be presented with a focus on corallites and crab specimens. The methods presented are fully translatable with the results showing the true potential of these techniques for education, research and conservation. A futuristic outlook is presented on the potential applications, including education, museum displays, conservation, and scientific analyses, with discussion on the implications for global conversation and sustainability of ecosystems.