Scott Drapeau
Scott is a designer in the Makers Lab. Contact Scott with questions about the Makers Lab, 3D printing technologies, and design project assistance.

Meet the Maker – Hyunil Jo, PhD

This week’s maker is Hyunil Jo, PhD, an adjunct professor in the UCSF School of Pharmacy. Let’s take a look at their project.

Q: What did you make?

Molecular models for the class.

Jo's students inspecting the 3D-printed molecular models
Dr. Jo’s students inspecting the 3D-printed molecular models

Q: Why did you want to make it?

In order to explain the approach of the two reactants in the reaction with representative 3D-printed models.

Jo teaching his students about the molecular models
Dr. Jo teaching his students about the molecular models

Q: What was your process?

I built the chemical structure models as a 3D structure, and asked the Makers Lab to print these.

1 methoxy, 3 methyl butadiene structure
1 methoxy, 3 methyl butadiene structure

Q: What was the hardest part of the process?

Due to the fundamental limit of the 3-D printing process, the connection of the atoms had to be done in an innovative way suggested by Scott. Instead of printing the molecular models whole with support, Scott halved each model and printed without support, then glued the two halves together.

3D printing of the molecular models, in halves
3D printing of the molecular models, in halves

Q: What was your favorite part of the process?

Students enjoyed coloring the 3D models with markers.

Jo's students coloring the molecular model 3D-prints
UCSF School of Pharmacy students coloring the molecular models

Q: How did this help you in your profession?

To teach the students more effectively.

Q: What do you want to make next?

More complicated structures.