Not many people would draw a straight line to connect former international soccer star Dave Clements with the cotton-candy vending executive he is today. The first, nicknamed “Tank,” played 13 ...

Let the machine heat for 10 seconds, then place the paper cylinder around it and slowly add the sugar. Collect the candy with a chopstick. Warning: Take care handling lighters and fuel.

Now, a team of researchers are showing how a souped-up cotton candy machine could be the key to 3-D printing artificial organs on demand.