The gravity-defying future of manufacturing | Schendy Kernizan

Manufacturing innovator and TED Fellow Schendy Kernizan is revolutionizing production by printing objects inside a support gel, effectively eliminating the constraints of gravity and traditional mold-based manufacturing. This method allows for the creation of complex, custom-fit products—such as medical orthotics and flexible industrial components—without the waste associated with standard support structures. By moving away from rigid, mass-produced shapes, this technology enables true mass customization, where items are tailored to individual body shapes or specific functional needs. Kernizan’s background in Haiti, where he learned to improvise with limited resources, informs his approach to solving complex engineering problems through persistent experimentation. This liquid-based printing process bridges the gap between prototyping and large-scale production, offering a sustainable, versatile alternative for industries ranging from automotive design to potential future habitats in space.