3D printed turbines for people who need them. Bonus: Accomplishing dreams and making mentors proud.

This story involves two parties: the established, California-based 3D Printing company MatterHackers, and RMRD Tech—namely, Kyle Bassett and Lucas Semple, two 28 year old engineers from the University of Windsor.

The story began when Bassett spent two years in Nicaragua after the completion of his masters degree. Here, he experienced a very different life: the life of a small fishing village without electricity. He also started working on his turbines.

Earlier this year, Basset and Semple turned to Kickstarter, where they would raise almost $50,000 to travel to Nicaragua with their 3D Printers and make their turbines into reality.

After some minor learning experiences, RMRD shifted their focus to small portable turbines designed specially for disaster relief. Of course, people around the world have their own uses for the tiny turbines:

“We’ve also been surprised by the response from what we call the ‘leisure market,’ or people who will use it for camping and hiking, or other remote excursions,” says Semple.

Late July, the very established company MatterHackers announced their plans to join together with the ‘Kickstarted’ duo. Together, they’ll be printing turbines for the greater good.

3D Printing can be a dream for engineers, artists, or anyone creating. Open Source materials make it easy to create, and to share. The accessibility means almost anyone with a solid business plan can not only head a movement, but make a difference.

Speaking with local paper The Windsor Star, professor David Ting describes Basset and Semple as students. He recalls Basset studying wind turbines “five or six years” prior, and having his dreams ignited after those visits to Nicaragua. He also describes how Basset and Semple saw the project through together.

“They are something Windsor and the university can be proud of,” says Ting. “These two have pursued their dreams, pursued further study and are pushing the envelope for engineering research.” (Via: The Windsor Star and WEtech Alliance)