Research Topics

Locating two research topics... it'd seem an easy task. But finding the two I wanted to research was actually trickier than I'd thought it would be. The first topic I settled on involves a relatively new piece of technology, the 3D printer. Specifically, the main question I wish to investigate is what impact 3D printers will have on the world as they become more affordable and precise. 3D printing is a concept I've found interesting, and the possibilities it offers are fascinating. Of course, 3D printing has been in industrial use for a while now, but in the near future we may see home 3D printers coming to the market as they become cheaper. The impact they could have on both industry and the consumer would be wide reaching. People could build things in their homes – toys or parts, almost anything they could think of, instead of having to go out and buy them. This would, naturally, impact business greatly, but I think we would see businesses adapt to its every-day use if it becomes that common.

The other research topic under consideration regards the recent retirement of NASA's space shuttle. How will this impact the US space program – already under heavy budget cuts – and international interests in space? As the US government looks more and more to private companies, will we see space become more open to people? That's a bit of a long shot, at least in the near future, but I definitely feel the impact it will have on other countries will be great. Already, it is impacting the space station, as the US has to rely on Russia's rockets until its replacement is done.