The Wyss Institute at Harvard announced that it can use 3d printing techniques to produce lithium-ion microbatteries that may help finish lots of small scale devices that were parked in labs in the last phase of development basically because there was no battery small enough to fit them. We can certainly expect a soaring number of medical applications but I think there will be much "bigger" consequences of this announcement which might change our lives soon.
The energy stored and reused in these batteries are comparable to "normal size" batteries, scientists say. But this also means that putting lots of 3d printed microbatteries in your mobile phone may enable you to go for a two-week trip to the desert without needing to recharge. OK, this is not the most maistream advantage of the technology. But think about electric cars and their range. And the effect of them being widespread in the world, even for public transport and commercial vehicles (causing quite a lot of pollution today). Not to mention the political consequences in oil countries.
But I am sure that the implications enhancing quality of life will come out of the blue, by the invention of new devices we can't even imagine now. Nothing is more interesting than the future.
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