Caffeine Molecule 3D Print

Download original media

Media Details

Created 3/23/2010 5:00:00 AM

Photograph of a 3D print of a caffeine molecule, created on the 3D printer in the ITG Visualization Laboratory (coin included for scale). The molecular structure of caffeine (C8H10N4O2) was obtained from a protein data bank file (.pdb) and imported into VMD software (http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vmd). Using VMD, rendering options were selected and a VRML-2 (.wrl) file was exported. This VRML-2 file was imported into ZPrint software, the ZCorp 3D printer's control software, and the physical 3D print was made. Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world. It's a physically addictive stimulant that is naturally produced in the leaves, seeds and fruits of many plants. Caffeine is commonly found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and a wide variety of over-the-counter medications.

Credits

• Joe Lingeman , School of Art & Design , Model
• Darren Stevenson , ITG, Beckman Institute , Photograph