The Solar Sinter is a solar powered, 3D Printer by inventor Markus Kayser that uses the intense heat of the sun to melt sand into liquid glass, from whence it is capable of producing amazing structures.
The idea of turning sand into a valuable commodity is long overdue. Both under the water and filling up the depths of our deserts, it is one of the most abundant resources on Earth.
"In the deserts of the world two elements dominate," writes Kayser on his blog. "Sun and sand. The former offers a vast energy source of huge potential, the latter an almost unlimited supply of silica in the form of quartz."
The process of turning a powder into a solid substance with heat is known as sintering and it has become a vastly popular method for 3D printing. In this case, instead of using lasers, as in SLS (selective laser sintering), Kayser's machine uses the sun's magnified rays.
Though the early final products were rudimentary, the potential is limitless. Glass silica is one of the harder materials on earth, rating a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It is an epic substance to turn into housing.
For now, watch out for bowls and other simple tools made from the sand.
