How to 3D Print a Brain

“The mistakes pointed out the problems with the project, pushing the maker to improve upon them.”
–Mark Frauenfelder

Making things, experimenting, responding to what’s in front of you, thinking about your options, steps and consequences, learning from your own mistakes and converting your developing ideas and data into tangible objects, instructions, stories and code for rapidly advancing technologies are important skills for teaching, research, science and art…

And brains, of course, make things – including brains! So how do you make a “copy” of your own human brain?

From cephalopods to Toothless: “3000 sq ft, 55 volunteers, 30 printer, 1 great time!”

Miguel Higgins-Moy, a Lab/Tech Maker at Uncorked Studios and the organizer of today’s popular Portland 3D Printing Lab area at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and Shashi Jain, who founded the 3D Printing Lab and is also an entrepreneur, technologist, instructor and Strategic Innovation Manager at Intel invited us to join their tables and learn more at the 6th annual Portland Mini-Maker Faire..!

LEARN MORE: Maker Faire A Bit of History

“I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success.”
– Nikola Tesla

An experienced crew of Noggin volunteers arrived at OMSI Saturday morning, and were immediately immersed in a world of homebuilt droids, steamroller linocuts, rideable kinetic sculptures, origami artists, cosplay STEAM enthusiasts, blacksmiths and more!

“Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects…”

LEARN MORE: Maker Faire A Bit of History

Noggin participants included Michael Deveney, Travis Christian, Sydney Duran, Elliott Heaton, Julia Schmidt and Cam Howard from Psychology at Portland State University, Mikah Brandes, an NIH BUILD EXITO scholar at PSU, Jana Sillay from OHSU, Anita Randolph from OHSU and the nonprofit BEADS, and recent PSU graduate Aaron Eisen, now at the National University of Natural Medicine…

We joined an extensive indoor 3D printing zone organized by Shashi and Miguel…

Why the 3D Printing Zone..?

Because we print brains! These 3D creations, derived from actual MRI scan data, are exceptional, colorful and compelling educational tools for innovative community outreach!

BEAUTIFUL new filament from local Northwest company Proto-pasta. We picked up some “Mermaid’s Tale Metallic Teal” for a sparkly new cerebrum, but covet a deep sanguine spool of subscription only “Blood of My Enemies” (CHECK IT OUT: top row, third from right).

LEARN MORE: NW Noggin @ Make + Think + Code

In fact, while many people are thrilled to directly examine our real human noggins up close…

Some greatly prefer starting off with an accurate but less squishy 3D print!

Pial surface print (the gray matter of neocortex) in green on the left; and the underlying white matter of the same brain in orange on right. (Pink bow in pipe cleaners).

These models always attract student and public interest, and are tangible, graspable objects that help teach through visual inspection, direct touch – and discussion about research related to the brain and behavior…

So how do you get an actual 3D print of your own brain?

LEARN MORE: FreeSurfer

LEARN MORE: How does an MRI scan work? (OHSU)

LEARN MORE: OHSU Advanced Imaging Research Center

LEARN MORE: How to be a Research Subject (OHSU)

Holding a human brain encased in the tough leathery dura mater (“tough mother” in Latin).

LEARN MORE: Some Anatomical Terminology

This video offers a sagittal tour through the head, from right ear to left..!

LEARN MORE: Neuroanatomy, Falx Cerebri

The basal ganglia are critical for movement and motivation, and there was plenty of both at the Mini-Maker Faire..!

LEARN MORE: Basal ganglia @ Beaumont!

LEARN MORE: Dancing, Parkinson’s & Mistakes

LEARN MORE: Caudate nucleus as a component of networks controlling behavior

LEARN MORE: Why do we have a caudate nucleus?

If you’d like to print from a file already acquired and ready in *.STL format, you can visit the NIH 3D Print Exchange. There is a wonderful “EyeWire Neuroscience collection” available for printing neurons, ventricles, hemispheres and full brains!

LEARN MORE: NIH 3D Print Exchange EyeWire’s Neuroscience Collection

Miguel did bring along a low resolution print of my own brain on Saturday (see below). It’s in two colors, because Miguel says he “ran out of filament” during his first attempt! Best humble brag ever? “Oh, you know, of course they ran out of filament trying to print my whole brain..”

We handled our cerebrums, crafted pipe cleaner neurons, considered intriguing questions about making and brains, and enjoyed discovering the motivating, innovative, creative work and play of Portland’s thriving maker community!