UMaine Reveals First 3D-Printed House of 100% Bio-Based Materials

Quote of the Week:

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not. Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” –Epicurus

Fact of the Week:

The annual pardoning of a turkey by the U.S. President began during the Civil War. One Thanksgiving, the Lincolns were given turkeys to kill and prepare for dinner. However, Lincoln’s youngest son Tad begged his father to spare one. Tad had a great love for animals and kept horses, goats, and rabbits around the White House, sometimes bringing his goats into his room to sleep with him. Lincoln obliged to Tad’s wishes, sparing a turkey which Tad would then make his pet.

Eighty-five years later, Harry Truman would revive this act and set tradition by officially pardoning the first turkey in 1947. Since then, every Thanksgiving the President pardons at least one turkey. Last year, President Biden pardoned the pair of Peanut Butter and Jelly; this year, it was Chocolate and Chip.

"The votes are in, they've been counted and verified," Mr. Biden said, presenting the turkeys to a crowd on the White House front lawn. "There's no ballot stuffing. There's no fowl play. The only red wave this season's gonna be if German Shepard Commander knocks over the cranberry sauce on our table."

Chocolate and Chip are expected to live out the rest of their lives on the campus of North Carolina State University, the same state in which they were raised.

The White House Archives and CBS contributed to this article.

News Update:

3D-printed house unveiled. Via UMaine News

Over the past weeks, we’ve covered many somber topics: frats chanting about rape, students yelling obscenities at each other, and the shocking murders of students. So, with Thanksgiving tomorrow, we’d like to share a piece of good news.

The first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials was revealed on Monday, according to UMaine News. The house was printed in four modules before being moved to the site where it was assembled in half a day. Within two hours electricity was running, with only one electrician needed on site.

The 600-square-foot prototype was built by the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC), and it features 3D-printed floors, walls, and roof, all made of wood fibers and bio-resins. The house is fully recyclable, and there was almost zero construction waste because of the precision of the printing.

“Our state is facing the perfect storm of a housing crisis and labor shortage, but the University of Maine is stepping up once again to show that we can address these serious challenges with trademark Maine ingenuity,” said Gov. Janet Mills, as reported by UMaine News.

Both Maine and the U.S. as a whole are experiencing a shortage of affordable housing, with an estimate by the National Low Income Housing Coalition that there is a need for more than seven million affordable housing units nationwide. In Maine alone, the deficit is 20,000.

“With today’s production of the world’s first ever 3D-printed house made from recycled forest products, the University of Maine continues to demonstrate its global leadership in innovation and scientific research,” said U.S. Senator Susan Collins.

According to UMaine News, “The successful print of BioHome3D builds on the ASCC’s demonstrated excellence in advanced manufacturing, design and modeling. The prototype was printed on the world’s largest polymer 3D printer, which, in 2019, produced the world’s largest 3D-printed boat.”

UMaine News contributed to this article.

Sports Update:

Michigan topped Illinois 19-17. Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Two top four teams avoided massive upsets over the weekend, with #3 Michigan and #4 TCU both requiring last second field goals to scrape out their victories. Michigan trailed Illinois 17-10 before three fourth-quarter field goals put them in front 19-17. The final one came with nine seconds left after Illinois went three-and-out and punted only 30 yards, resulting in excellent field position for the Wolverines.

Meanwhile, TCU fell behind 28-20 to Baylor before scoring a touchdown with 2:07 remaining. They missed the two point conversion but forced Baylor to punt on a three-and-out. On their final possession they kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to win 29-28.

Elsewhere, #1 Georgia and #2 Ohio State won, while #5 Tennessee was thrashed 63-38 by South Carolina. Number 7 USC topped #16 UCLA 48-45, booking their spot in the Pac-12 Championship game in the process. They face a resurgent #15 Notre Dame this weekend.

And, in case you missed it, several weeks ago SMU and Houston combined to set the record for the most points in a regulation game with 140. The NCAA recap summed it up well: “Defense was merely a suggestion in Dallas on Saturday as SMU defeated Houston by the mind-boggling score of 77-63.” Houston quarterback Clayton Tune threw for seven touchdowns and 527 yards, while SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw for nine touchdowns and 379 yards.

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What starts with a P, ends with an E, and has thousands of letters?