Scientists from the Stony Brook University Medical Center recently used 3D technology to reconstruct the skull of an extinct mammal. The Hadropithecus stenognathus is a species of giant lemur now extinct, with only two examples of skulls known to exist.
The examples were in fact merely pieces of skulls. However, researchers noticed that at least some of the pieces fit together well, and concluded they may be able to use 3D scanning tech to help. The pieces were scanned and then “virtually reconstructed” by determining how the pieces fit together. The result was a 3D model of the complete skull that is suitable for further research.
What is not stated is the obvious, at least to us 3D fans: why not print the model as an object? Such virtual reconstructions could be of value as they may be transmitted to multiple researchers who can either work virtually or physically by printing the model.
Via NewsWise and EurekAlert
