From furniture to jewelry, from the medical industry to civil engineering, three-dimensional printing can turn all sorts of ideas into tangible objects.

"I wanted to print large objects such as boats but, when I tried different materials, I was most impressed with concrete so I decided to print buildings," said Behrokh Khoshnevis, professor of industrial and systems engineering, aerospace and mechanical engineering and civil and environmental engineering at the University of Southern California.

Khoshnevis said he plans to construct a house in 24 hours by applying 3D printing techniques but he admitted there would be difficulties in meeting his goal.