In October, 3D-printing startup Shapeways opened its New York production facility in Long Island City, Queens, the biggest consumer-focused 3D printing factory in the world.

FORBES: Inside The World's Biggest Consumer 3D Printing Factory (Video)

He helped open restaurants, tailor shops, printing services and a toy factory before stumbling into the real-estate business.

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But the week's most exciting solar story is The Solar Pocket Factory, a DIY backyard photovoltaic panel printing system that can print a solar panel in 15 seconds flat.

ENGADGET: Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar panel printer, gold producing bacteria and a life-size of horse made of computer keys

Sculpteo prides itself on its 3 D printing Cloud engine which lets shops and designers embed 3D printing options into their online shop, they call it a factory in the cloud.

FORBES: 3D Printed Pottery From Your Mobile Phone

Canadian Banknote is asking about Dollars 2.9m (Pounds 1.71m) to print the notes and is offering to build the factory as a joint venture, which would recoup its costs by printing money for other republics and nations.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy