Imagine you’re driving to work on a rainy day, when a distracted, reckless driver hits your car out of nowhere. With a “boom,” an airbag deploys faster than you can blink your eyes to save your life.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 3D printing can be used to build with all kinds of materials – even those that go 'boom.' kynny/iStock via Getty Images Imagine ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Monique McClain, Purdue University (THE CONVERSATION) Imagine you’re driving to work ...