世界首顆3D打印心臟

河北胡金瑩

隨著科技的快速發(fā)展，3D打印技術(shù)在我們的生活中扮演著越來越重要的角色。如今，研究人員利用3D打印技術(shù)制造了第一個(gè)全尺寸人類心臟模型。

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難詞探意

1.collagen/'k?l?d??n/n.膠原；膠原蛋白

2.gelatin/'d?el?t?n/n.明膠

3.alginate/'?ld??ne?t/n.藻酸鹽

4.suture/'su?t??(r)/n.縫合；縫合用的線

5.artery/'ɑ?t?ri/n.動(dòng)脈

Researchers have created the first full-size human heart model using 3D printing technology.The model was made with a specially developed 3D printer that uses bio-materials to produce a structure and tissues similar to a real human heart.The researchers say the model heart can be a useful tool to train medical professionals in operations related to human heart function.It could also be used as a basis for new research on ways to use 3D printing technology to produce fully operating hearts to replace in people.

Scientists have made 3D printed models of the human heart before,which were made of harder substances—such as plastic or rubber.They were not effective in copying the soft tissue material found in the human heart.

The new 3D printing process was not easy.This is because soft materials,such ascollagen,start out as a liquid.When such substances are printed in air,they quickly collapse during the process.Itwas because of this that the researchers came up with their own method to3D print soft materials.

The method uses agelatinsubstance to surround the structures during the printing so they do not collapse.

The team's new model heart is made from a material calledalginate,a soft natural substance made from seaweed.The researchers say alginate has very similar properties to tissues that make up the human heart.For example,the researchers tested the 3D printed material withsutures,which doctors use to close up wounds during operations.Once they had perfected the process,the researchers made additional changes to the 3D printer to produce larger objects.They were able to use MRI images from a patient to model and print a full-size human heart.

The researchers say they also successfully 3D printed a model of a heartarterythat could be used to train doctors.The group says the same methods could be used to create other realistic organ models as well,such as livers or kidneys.

Reading Check

1.What's the model heart used to do?

A.Train doctors.

B.Do operations.

C.Replace real hearts.

D.Develop 3D technology.

2.What's the function of gelatin?

A.To strengthen the liquid.

B.To make the structure firm.

C.To make the material soft.

D.To simplify the printing process.

3.Where is the text probably taken from?

A.A travel brochure.

B.A personal diary.

C.A research paper.

D.A science magazine.

Language Study

Sentence for writing

It was because of this that the researchers came up with their own method to 3D print soft materials.正是由于這一點(diǎn)，研究人員想出了自己的方法來3D打印軟材料。

【信息提取】此句為強(qiáng)調(diào)句型，強(qiáng)調(diào)句型的構(gòu)成結(jié)構(gòu)為“It is/was+被強(qiáng)調(diào)部分+that/who+其他部分”。本句強(qiáng)調(diào)原因狀語because of this。

【句式仿寫】正是張桂梅對教育的熱情改變了許多貧困地區(qū)女孩的生活。